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University of Southern California
University of Southern California
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
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Fieldwork Week: Pediatrics!

Joe

October 17, 2015
by Joe

Fieldwork

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For our Level 1 Fieldwork experience, we spend one day a week for 10 weeks at one clinical site to practice some of the skills we learn in class. In the middle of the semester, which is the point we’re in now, we also spend one full week at our fieldwork site to get a better sense of what it would be like to practice in this type of setting on a “full-time schedule.” As I mentioned last week, I am in the Pediatrics immersion this semester; my fieldwork site is a private outpatient clinic for children with autism.

During this clinical week, I was able to work with one of the boys, “Landon” (not his real name), to target fine motor development, and in order to get him interested in treatment, I had to find ways to make it fun and playful!

So here is my “super fancy, high-tech, top-of-the-line” fine motor tool:

Penn my Fine Motor Tennis Ball Tool

Meet “Penn”, my little Fine Motor Monster

Landon really loved playing with this little green dude. Using a simple toy like a tennis ball, we were able to work on:

Penn Eats Toy Food for Strength

Hand Strength & Pincer Grasps — Landon had to squeeze really hard with one hand to get Penn to open his mouth, and then use a precise pincer grasp to pick up “food” to feed him

We also worked on:

Penn gets spoon fed

Tool Use — Landon had a lot of trouble feeding himself with a spoon, so we practiced feeding Penn this way so I could help him improve how he held the spoon and manipulated food with it

Landon really had a great time playing with Penn, one of the aides had to interrupt us to get him to the next session. One of the best parts of this fieldwork experience has been playing with the kids and finding fun new ways to provide treatment through games and toys. The children seem to love it, and it’s fun for us too!

Joe sits at a child's desk

Fieldwork week is over! Time to go back to class . . .

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1. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | November 24, 2015

Hi Joe.  Way to represent the “OT Bee Hive” at the PT conference. And Penn is genius! Simple easy to make effective. I’m making one if thats ok with your legal dept?  Thanks for the inspiration..