Vicky’s blog

Today was the last day of my observation. I am very sad that it is over. This was a terrific experience. I am truly going to miss being there. I learned a lot from the children and Shannon, not only about OT but myself as well. I did not think I would like working with kids. I got into OT with all intentions of wanting to only work with geriatrics, not anymore. I am exited about the upcoming quarters and level 2 fieldwork.

Progress notes:

I have a learned a lot, but I know there is a lot more to be learned I can’t wait! Going back to school to become an OTA  was one of the best decisions I ‘ve made.

Fulfillment, joy, and satisfaction are just a few word to describe how I felt during observation Friday. I have written about “Bob” before. Bob is a boy diagnosed with autism. Bob has a hard time communicating and attending. Friday Bob surprised us all even his teachers. Shannon and I was once again using play-dough, this time the kids were making pizza with it. Bob was so happy, he smiled at us with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen (something I’m told he rarely does). while we were making the “pizza” Bob said “Hi Mrs. Stevens”. I looked at him, he was looking at me, I said hi back and asked him how he was and if he was having fun. Doesn’t sound like a big deal but it was he maintained eye contact with me for approximately 20 seconds. This is the longest eye contact he has made all year! I thought I was going to cry. My heart was filled with so many emotions this was on of the greatest days of observation for me. I am so sad that it ending.

progress note:

I did not think I would want to work with kids I was so wrong. This has been a great experience and it had  washed away any and all doubts I was having concerning if this was the right field for me.

It is a great feeling when the kids respond to you. Today was great. Shannon decided to give me a challenge, come up with an activity for a first grader she treats. This little girl has problems manipulating scissors, and writing/identifying numbers.  She does have others area’s that get address as well, but Shannon wanted me to focus on the 2 listed.

The activity I choose was playdough. I took a kit that had 3 different colors and several assesories including plastic scissors. I told Shannon I would let her play with the playdough using the scissors. I would watch and give verbal cues as needed for proper cutting technique. After that I would make numbers out of the dough have, have her identify them, than manipulate the dough to make the same numbers I did using mine as a visual cue. She enjoyed the activity and Shannon the activity was good.

Progress note:

I do not want this experience to end. I am learning so much from Shannon. The children are also teaching me a lot about myself.

Last week Shannon(my CI) changed things up a bit, each child made homemade ice-cream in a bag during their therapy session.Many of the children treated by Shannon have sensory issues and/or fine motor deficits this activity was great for both deficits. The children measured out the ingredients into a sandwich baggie, seal it shut, than put that baggie into a freezer bag that was pre-made with ice. When the children were done with that Shannon added the rock salt. The children shook the bag, pinched it, and kneaded it to form the ice-cream. When the ice-cream was done the kids ate it out of the bag it was GREAT. This was so much fun for them. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

progress note:

I am learning so much information. Shannon is great at answering my questions and making the answers be understandable.

Last week was “spider week”. Shannon had numerous activities all including spiders. She had spider colorings, connect the  dot, mazes, step by step how to draw a spider, and tiny plastic spiders. Each activity helped the children in different way. My favorite was the tiny plastic spiders. The children that need to work on manipulation was given plastic tweezers and glued the spiders onto a paper web. The connect the dot was used to help a little boy sequence the numbers. 

progress note:

I am trying to absorb all Shannon’s knowledge. I know it will be very useful.

It is  a great felling when you can help children. At one of the schools I visit there is  a girl “C”. C has OT services once a week for 30 minutes. I do not know her exact diagnosis but was told it could be mental delay. C does not speak often and shows a great deal of OCD chararistics. This past week Shannon (my CI) asked me to try and get her to come out of her shell due to the fact that she seems to have attached herself to me, I said I would love too. Some of C goals include being able to manipulate items, identify letters, and be able to sustain in conversation.

C was able to manipulate wick sticks (string with wax coating) in order to spell her name with 100% accuracy. C was able to sustain for about 6 minutes twice during the 30 minute session.

I was very pleased that I was able to get C to converse with me for that length of time. Shannon stated that C has only talked that much on one other occasion in the past 10 months. I can not even explain how great it feels to know that I had an impact on this little girl. This is what it is truly all about.

progress note:

I am learning new information during each visit.

This week  was so much fun. My CI (Shannon) changed things up a little for the kids while still completing all the tasks needed to be done. The theme was Easter of course. Shannon had easter eggs, easter word searches, easter connect the dots, and even easter stickers to use during therapy. One of the little girls has trouble with her isolated finger movement so Shannon had her work with the stickerbook, while a young boy did the connect the dots (by numbers) worked his sequencing ability.

Progress note:

All the activities of the week made me realize that anything you do or have can in some way be used as a therapy tool. It is so exciting I can’t wait until next week!

Vicky S

I am Vicky Stevens and I started my level 1 fieldwork with a very nice COTA named Shannon. Shannon is a graduate of Zane State’s OTA program and is employed with Rehab Associates of Newark. I meet Shannon on Thursdays at Tri -Valley High School, when finish there we go to Tri -Valley middle school, and then finish the day at Adamsville Elementary. Fridays are just as busy we start at Nashport Elementary then we head to Frazeysburg Elementary and then back to Nashport Elementary to finish up the day. Shannon makes therapy very interesting for the children. I know I am going to learn a lot from her!

Progress note:

I am looking forward to this experience.