Student Blog
What are OS/OT?

Explaining Occupational Therapy ⟩
October 5, 2013, by Jen

What are OS/OT?

When someone asks me “What is occupational therapy?” I want to respond “Do you have a minute or an hour?” Occupational therapy is an amazing field, but defining occupational therapy can be a challenge at times. Occupational therapy is a health profession that focuses on the meaningful activities that OCCUPY a person’s day. For example, the meaningful activities that occupy my days typically include waking up and preparing breakfast for myself, driving to school, learning from my professors and peers, working as a student ambassador after class, and engaging in social events with my friends in the evening. If I suddenly was unable to complete these various occupations independently (whether due to an illness, disease, stressful event, etc.), I might seek out the care of an occupational therapist who would evaluate and treat me so that I may participate more fully in my life. For more information on defining occupational therapy, I recommend checking out the American Occupational Therapy Association website.

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Talking to Undergraduate Students ⟩
September 30, 2013, by Kate

Community Living in LA What are OS/OT?

Today I had the chance to go talk to some of the undergraduate classes at USC about the field of occupational therapy. It was so great to be back on the University Park Campus (most of the master’s classes are on the Health Sciences Campus, which is northeast of downtown). Since I graduated in 2006 I have gone back for football games and other special events. But it was really neat to be back here on a Monday, going to a class with undergraduate students, and telling them about my new career path and passion.

It is so easy for me to share my love for all things USC and now for all things occupational therapy. Sometimes I wish it was easy for everyone to feel the same feelings!! I know everyone has their own path and journey in life, however. It’s just very exciting when I see other young minds at one of the greatest universities in the country working towards something greater than themselves. I asked the class the question: “After you graduate, what do you want out of a job?” It warmed my heart to hear the first thing out of multiple students’ mouths was “I want to make the world a better place,” and “I want to be fulfilled.” And I know USC and the occupational therapy program can give students what they want out of a career. What can I say? USC and OT have my heart!!

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Sensory Integration Lab ⟩
September 26, 2013, by Jen

Classes What are OS/OT?

This week in my pediatric lectures, we have been learning about sensory integration, which is a theory based on neuroscience that provides perspective for appreciating the sensory dimensions of human behavior. When someone is not processing sensory information appropriately, they may have sensory integrative dysfunction. During an occupation therapy assessment the occupational therapist may notice signs of dysfunction, including: delays in fine motor and gross motor development, decreased strength and endurance, low muscle tone, decreased balance, poor body awareness, poor self-regulation or difficulty with social and emotional development. The occupational therapist may then choose to use fun sensory integration intervention strategies to enhance information processing so that a child can engage more appropriately in everyday life. Pediatric occupational therapy can look a lot like play, but it takes a lot of skill to make it appear that way.

This week in my pediatric lab, we experimented with the different equipment in the sensory integration laboratory in the CHP building at the Division. The laboratory is full of equipment that provides tactile, proprioceptive, and vestibular exploration opportunities for a child (and even for an adult!). The equipment promotes both sensory and motor activities. We discovered different ways to challenge each other in terms of coordination, balance, and body control, and had a ton of fun doing it!

Here is a photo of some of my fellow classmates:

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Visiting San Luis Obispo ⟩
September 23, 2013, by Jen

Classes What are OS/OT?

This past weekend I took a short break from my life in Los Angeles to visit some friends at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. I graduated from Cal Poly in June 2012 (exactly one week prior to beginning the occupational therapy program at USC) with a BS in Kinesiology and a Minor in Psychology. My visit brought back numerous memories from my undergraduate years and reminded me how much my education at Cal Poly helped me get to where I am today.

As a kinesiology major I took courses such as Biomechanics, Motor Control and Learning, Anatomy, Physiology, Neuroanatomy, Adapted Physical Activity, Psychosocial Aspects of Physical Activity, Gerontology, and Sports Nutrition. When I took each of these courses, I never thought about how much I would be using what I was learning in the future. Let me tell you . . . I’ve been using what I learned a LOT since beginning graduate school. Majoring in kinesiology especially prepared me for the physical rehabilitation aspects of occupational therapy.

As a psychology minor I took courses such as Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Behavioral Disorders in Childhood, and Environmental Psychology. What I learned in these courses did a fantastic job of preparing me for the mental health and pediatric aspects of occupational therapy.

I’m so grateful for my undergraduate experience and know what I am learning now in graduate school will be VERY useful when I become an occupational therapist.

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Turning Work Into Play ⟩
September 19, 2013, by Jen

What are OS/OT?

This past week, I had the opportunity to work with children in an occupational therapy clinic setting. I was very impressed with how well the occupational therapists I observed were able to make a treatment session look so much like play. For example, an adorable child was getting occupational therapy services because of a fine motor delay in performing certain tasks that involve small movements with this child’s fingers. This child normally gets very frustrated when performing a task that involves small movements, but one of the goals for therapy is to be able to pick up Cheerios independently. The occupational therapist found a way to make this task fun for the child. The therapist found out what motivates the child and used this to their advantage in order to get the child to participate. This child LOVES the show Blue’s Clues, so the therapist created a Blue’s Clues-themed treatment session that required the child to practice their fine motor skills. The child enjoyed the session and also worked on needed skills!

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