All Hands on Deck

This semester we have started to learn manual muscle testing (MMT) and how to take range of motion (ROM) with a tape measure and a goniometer. It is really exciting to start to get hands on. So far we have only done the neck for range of motion, but we have done the trunk and neck for MMT. It is amazing how important practice is. I was practicing with friends after class today, and it was amazing how many different times we had to rearrange our bodies to be able to take the measurements. An experienced practitioner would know exactly how to position themselves, and the right order to do all the testing, so that the impact on the client was minimal. Book learning is only going to get you so far on these skills.

Today in mental health we formed four different groups for different projects. Group work is a big part of occupational therapy school. Group selection is a little different in the second semester. People have friends that they like to work with, other people want to work with people they do not hang out with, and sometimes people who like to get work done early seek the others who like to get work done early. Let's hope all these projects run smoothly.

The other big happening this week is we got to meet the family that is building the house that we are help designing. I am assigned to work on the bedroom for a 15 year old boy with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). I was a little disappointed because he spends most of his time in the common areas currently, but I know we are going to make his room so awesome that he is going to spend all his time there. I have a to-do list that is a mile long, so I should get a start on that. 

Darius Goes West

We watched this documentary in one of my classes. I thought it was amazing. You should definitely check it out. It is the story of a boy with muscular dystrophy that wants to get his wheelchair pimped by MTV's show "Pimp My Ride". With the help of some friends a three week cross country trip in a RV from Athens, GA to Los Angeles, CA and back was planned to try to convince MTV to trick out the wheelchair. They also filmed a documentary to bring awareness to muscular dystrophy and wheelchair accessibility. It is an eye-opening and heart touching film.

The story that struck me most from the film was Darius, the boy with muscular dystrophy, was dared by some of the crew (comprised of his friends) to eat a spoonful of wasabi. Darius was not one to back down from a bet. However, someone else in the restaurant yelled at the crew for picking on Darius. Darius in no way felt picked on and felt like he was just hanging out with his friends. It was just a strong reminder that people in wheelchairs do not want to be coddled or pitied, but be part of the gang.

The film brings up wonderful perspectives on wheelchair accessibility, living with muscular dystrophy, and living your life the fullest. If you want to check it out you can go to http://www.dariusgoeswest.org/the-film/ to purchase the film and learn more.   

Here is a preview:

Spring Lineup

First week of spring classes are happening this week, and it kind of feels like spring here in Georgia. This semester we take five classes, plus a one week fieldwork in the realm of mental health. Previous students and professors warn that this semester is a lot of work. It is also said that a lot of practical knowledge is learned now, and it is a lot of fun.

The first class I have is mental health programming. This class is going to focus on assessments and interventions used in mental health. It appears that the big project in this class is to lead a group session. The group will consist of other classmates pretending to have different dysfunction. I am worried about this class because I feel like mental health is very emotional and that is not one of my strong suits. I feel like I am going to be challenged often.

Next we have Assistive Technology and Therapeutic Adaptations. I am really excited about this class. We have to do a home and community assessment on wheelchair accessibility. We perform this by actually taking a wheelchair out to one of our homes and somewhere in the community. We also have a family we are working with that is building a new home for their son with muscular dystrophy. We are helping design the home. The class is broken up into different groups to design different rooms. We still have to work together to make it cohesive. I am working on the son's bedroom. I am so excited. We get to do something with a real client. The families they have done in the past have implemented most of the changes that the students suggested. We also have to develop an assistive device for a real person of our choosing. There is a fair where patent lawyers will examine our devices as well as the professors. The have had seven ideas patented from past years due to this project. This project still scares me because I have no idea what I am going to do yet.

I am also taking movement analysis. The professor is making the class a lot of fun, but it is mostly a lecture and exam class. Did you know swinging your arms allows you to walk faster than if your arms were crossed in front of you or in your pockets? Also walking develops more core and leg muscle strength than running. Who would of known?

Kinesiology is my next course. The big project in this course is to make a movie analyzing a ten second movement. You never think of all the coordination that goes into a seeming simple task, such as brushing your hair. There are also a lot of labs involved in this course. I am ready to try some hands on stuff.

The last class is neuroscience. We are focusing on the anatomy of the brain first, but then we move into how it works. That is the stuff I like. This is the only time we will have a professor that is not an OT other than anatomy. It is going to offer some different perspectives.

It's a strong line up of courses. Here's to hoping I can handle it all!

Handwriting

Handwriting is a huge topic currently in occupational therapy and the education field in general. Cursive handwriting was eliminated from the Common Core State Standards, which 40 states follow. Most states still teach cursive, but are considering dropping it since there is no longer a standard. Schools are instead encouraging typing as technology evolves. Handwriting (cursive and print) is also being put on the back burner because teachers have so many other standards they must meet. To many Americans the loss of handwriting is not a concern and instead is seen as the education system adapting to the changing environment, but to an occupational therapist this trend is leading to a variety of problems and raising concerns.

If handwriting is decreased or eliminated in schools, then fine motor skills are going to deteriorate according to many. This connection has not been proven since typing requires fine motor skills too, but some have found that handwriting offers benefits to cognition and memory that typing does not. This is likely because the brain has to be more engaged to produce a shape versus hitting the correct key. A few also point out that handwriting offers a way of personal expression that typing does not. Not only does handwriting have more variety than typing, but children write more and faster.

Handwriting has causing another set of concerns for another population. More people are learning about occupational therapy everyday, but many just know us as handwriting experts. Many students in school are being referred to occupational therapy for handwriting, but not because of underlying issues, but instead because not enough time is being spent on handwriting in the classroom. As much as I would love to help every person function better, is helping children who just need a little more instruction on handwriting the best use of our time? Occupational therapists need to make sure their expertise is being used properly, especially when it comes to handwriting, and they are not just another set of hands.   

Links:

NY Times article onhandwriting and OT

Discussion board oncursive versus touch typing

Fieldwork

Sorry this is several weeks late. Thanksgiving and finals took over.

My fieldwork was spectacular. I learned a ton, my mentor enjoyed teaching, and I got to explore a side of occupational therapy I have never seen. I was part of a substance abuse rehabilitation center that had a very specific population. This was an area I had never heard of occupational therapists being in, but after a week of being there I think occupational therapists should be a part of the recovery program. The main role the occupational therapist had was to lead life skills groups. I was really excited because my research group is implementing life skills groups, and my mentor gave me a lot of tips on life skills groups.

I also got to see documentation for the first time. He let me write several of the notes, and I got to see a few evaluations. Now my experience with real note writing is limited, but from talking to other people note writing in reality is very different than note writing for school. Both convey a breadth of relevant information, but just in different ways. It also seems to vary between settings too.

I wish I could tell you more about my experiences, but I cannot without risking breaking HIPPA. 

COPM and Interviews

Fieldwork starts on Monday. I am so excited, but I am also nervous. I am nervous that I won't know anything. I am also worried that I won't get there at time. I have to be there by 7 am, and that includes going through security. The earliest class we have this semester is at 9 am, and that is only on Fridays. I'm sure it will be fine. This must be what it is like to be an adult. There are two other girls from my class going to the same site, so at least some friendly faces will be around.

We also have to assess a patient by using the COPM (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure). We practiced in class on a classmate, and watched a video, but giving it to a patient is going to be a whole different experience. The OT interviews the client to learn about their strengths and weaknesses. The client then rates all the activities discussed on their importance on a scale from 1 to 10. The client then chooses 3-5 activities that they would like to improve. The client then rates these activities on a scale from 1-10 on performance and satisfaction. The later in intervention the ratings should be taken again to see if there is improvement. There is no norm for this assessment, but it does measure if a person is more satisfied with their performance. I think this would be a great first assessment because you get to learn about the client and what is important to them.

Last week also started the first week of interviews at my school. Is it weird that I was nervous when I saw the signs? It is really strange to see people in suits all over our floor. This year they started putting current students in the individual interviews. I can't commit to being there for every interview, but the students who are involved seem to be enjoying it.  I'm sure we will have a great crop for next year. Seeing the interviewees reminded me why I chose my school. I wasn't going to go here originally, but I was so impressed with the staff and facilities I changed my mind. That is not an easy thing to do. That is why you should always tour the facility before you chose!

Eating Alone

This year my school is integrating current students in the interview process for new students. I think this is a great idea. Unfortunately, I can't participate because I can't be there for all the interviews. However, it was shared that a student suggested asking potential students when was the last time they ate alone. This question would help evaluate  how confident a person is as well as how concerned they are by what others think of them. They have chosen not to use the question for a variety of reasons, but there is some food for thought. Would you eat by yourself?