We asked OT’s to share their thoughts about being an OT. We received an outstanding number of responses, all so wonderful to read.We struggled to come up with a winner so we decided to announce two winners!!
Congratulations Michelle, our first winner!
This is her story on what inspired her to choose Occupational Therapy as a career and how it has been important to her:
My mother’s resilience and determination to fight unbelief and strive for independence inspired me to become an occupational therapist. She, along with two of her siblings acquired a retinal disorder that left them legally blind since childhood. Her experiences and inner strength inspired me to want to try to help others find ways to counter societal stereotypes and environmental barriers while facilitating inner strength, hope, and the ability to live life to the fullest. She helped me see the importance that independence and productivity play in a human’s physical, cognitive, and emotional health. I wanted to help others be able to live their life according to their dreams and aspirations no matter the barriers. I enjoy problem solving with my patients and families in finding solutions to barriers, success in daily activities, and self-esteem and belief in themselves to continue their life as they dream possible! It has been a gift to discover and participate in the occupation of occupational therapy. I am continually learning from my patients, co-workers, and mentors. from my experiences with my patients I have learned to look at possibilities over struggles, even in my own life struggles, which is truly a gift I attempt to give back. It has been an honor to be part of this incredible occupation and life passion and I thank my mother, patients, and all who have helped me along this journey thus far.
Michelle wins a free 2 Day live course of her choosing: $435 value.
Education Resources offers many relevant CEU courses for , Occupational Therapists and assistants. Join us to learn creative, effective, evidence-based strategies.
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBPAGE TO FIND UPCOMING RELEVANT COURSES IN YOUR AREA
Clinical Question: Movement to Help Stuttering
GUEST BLOGGER:
Kathryn Biel
I received this clinical question, and am hoping that other have insight to share:
I am working with an 8 year-old boy with one of the most difficult presentations. He was initially diagnosed with ADHD and a tic disorder. He was put on stimulant medication around age 6, and subsequently developed a severe stutter. He has become terribly dysfluent, and is barely able to verbally communicate. His stimulant has been changed several times. When he’s off his medication, his school function plummets, but his fluency improves. His tics and OCD are becoming worse and worse, and are impacting every aspect of his life. He’s recently been diagnosed with Autism, and has just started attending a speech clinic outside of school. His vocal tics and stutter, as well as dysfluency continue to grow worse. His attention, while better on the medication, is still poor. While working with his PT, she noticed that if he jumps from one foot to another (like jogging in place with a little more lateral movement), his fluency improves. It takes him about 1/3 of the time to say a sentence while “wiggling” as it does while standing still. His tics diminish as well. Walking does not seem to have this effect. Tapping his hand while speaking helps, but not as much as this. Does anyone have any input or strategies to try? Any idea as to WHY this might be helping?
This seems like a pretty complex situation. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
~Kathryn Biel, PT, DPT
]]>School Based DPT Struggling to Move past Bachelors plus 36 – Needs Your Input
DEAR ERI COMMUNITY
We received this question from one of the school therapists in our community, she would like to hear your thoughts and experiences:
I am a PT in the school system in Foxborough , Ma. I got my BSPT in 1982 and went back and got my DPT in 2005 thru a transitional DPT program at MGH Institute. The transitional DPT program was 8 classes but only 15 credits. They keep credits low to encourage enrollment. I went on to take 21 more credits of graduate courses. In my district this moved me to the bachelors plus 36/masters salary scale. However, I can not move past that level since I did not get my masters. Since there is no longer a master’s program in PT, I am trying to have my district look at my unique situation. It seems unfair I can not move past the bachelors plus 36 level when I have my DPT, the preferred degree in my field. It is a contractual year and I have asked my superintendant and union rep to look into this. They asked if I could reach out to other districts to see how other towns are handing the situation. I spoke with a college friend who is an OT with the Boston Public Schools and she said the entry level DPTs there are on the doctorate sale. I have gotten emails from your organization where therapists are trying to get ideas from other therapists. I wonder if there is a way to send this to a school therapist distribution list if you have one.
I am particularly interested if there are any BSPTs who went on to get their DPT through a transitional DPT program to see where they are paid on the salary scale. It is tricky since the entry level DPTs have many more credits than I do. Could forward this email to anyone who may have insight into this situation. Thanks in advance for your help. Lisa MacDonnell
]]>Pediatric Rehab Therapy Service and Unmet Needs
Recent research led by our distinguished faculty member Dr. Beth McManus, PT was recently published in Physical Therapy Journal
“Which Children Are Not Getting Their Needs for Therapy or Mobility Aids Met? Data From the 2009–2010 National Survey of Children With Special Health Care Needs”
February 2016 Volume 96 Number 2 p.222
http://ptjournal.apta.org/content/96/2/222
Objective The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of and factors associated with caregiver perceived needs and unmet needs for therapy or mobility aids among children with special health care needs living in the United States.
Conclusions This evidence serves as a baseline about the future impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Pediatric rehabilitation professionals should be aware that children with special health care needs whose condition more frequently affects function and who have insurance discontinuity may need more support to meet therapy or mobility aid needs.
Don’t miss Beth present her popular continuing education course:
Advanced Clinical Practice in the NICU:
This intermediate-advanced course will focus on clinical decision-making for medically and developmentally complex patients in the NICU and transition to home and EI. Emphasis will be on in-depth knowledge of pathophysiology of common NICU diagnoses and special populations; choice and interpretation of evaluation tools and evidence-based therapeutic interventions, implementing developmentally supportive oral feeding interventions, and transition to post-NICU care. Labs and video case analysis to allow attendees to integrate course material for complex clinical decisions around behavioral, developmental and feeding intervention.
June 10-11, 2016 – Renton, WA
August 13-14, 2016 – Decatur, GA
September 24-25, 2016 – Washington, DC
September 30-October 1, 2016 – Robbinsdale, MN
November 4-5, 2016 – San Antonio, TX
Please click here for full course details, CEU information, to download a brochure, or to register
]]>How to Treat a Patient on a Heparin Drip
DEAR ERI COMMUNITY:
Post from Paula, PT:
Would you treat a patient that is currently on a Heparin Drip?
Please share your thoughts and experiences.
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