Tag Archive for: occupational therapy

O Comes Before P But Not Always in Therapy

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Typically, most places will list departments in alphabetical order; however, not in the therapy world.

Though “O” alphabetically comes before “P,” you will rarely see Occupational Therapy before Physical Therapy. I believe this is because the majority of the public is more aware of what PT actually is. I have jokingly referred to OT as being the “other” therapy. I get so excited when I meet someone who actually understands what OT is and what I do.

I’m a bit jealous that my fellow PTs don’t have to constantly explain what they do or feel the need to justify the benefits of their services. The name itself, occupational therapy, really doesn’t give the average person a good idea of what OT encompasses. I have worked in the geriatric setting for over 25 years and have heard it all. “Oh, honey, I’m retired. I don’t need you.” Well, actually you do, and let me tell you why!

What is Occupational Therapy?

OT focuses on the whole person with the ultimate goal of maximizing a person’s independence. Trying to get someone to view their occupation of living, what does that entail? What physical aspects (mobility, vision, limited ROM, or neurological movements) are preventing someone from being more independent?  What cognitive aspects (STM deficits, dementia, perceptual deficits) are holding them back? Are there any environmental factors, such as a cluttered area, poor spacing, fall hazards, or ergonomics? There are so many things that we do on a daily basis that we automatically perform. However, when someone is sick or injured, that is when these “occupations” get challenged.

How Can Occupational Therapists Help?

As occupational therapists, it is our job to help identify the factors that limit our patients to perform their daily routines. Whether that includes simple ADLs, figuring out ways for the patient to continue employment, or problem solving ways to continue to pursue activities of interest. To be a part of someone’s success in improving their independence and quality of life is one of the reasons that I love being an OT.

Sometimes all it takes are adaptations to make life easier. Use of adapted equipment, modifying the environment, and compensatory strategies are all techniques specific to OTs. Having been in the assisted living/independent living setting for almost four years now, I have been able to grow relationships with my clients and have enjoyed watching them in their daily occupations. Even after discharge from OT, it is great to be able to engage with them and make sure they are succeeding. However, it is also great to be able to observe any regressions and to help them identify when therapy may be warranted again.

I love it when I receive referrals from my former clients regarding other residents. Not only did I help one person improve, that person is now more aware of what OT is and looks out for others. I feel like I am doing my best to let others know what OT is and how it can potentially improve someone’s independence and quality of life. Now, if only I can get the “O” to come before the “P.” Okay, okay….now that’s just crazy talk!

Kate Beaty, OTR, is an Occupational Therapist in the Senior Living setting for Tx:Team.  She has spent the majority of her career in the geriatric setting, whether in nursing homes, assisted livings or sub-acute rehabilitation.  She really enjoys the relationships that she fosters with her clients and loves to help them achieve their functional goals.

Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging

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In September 2021, Tx:Team launched a formal Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging (IDB) Initiative. This initiative came out of a question we asked our leadership team: how do our associates and patients experience Tx:Team?

Our mission is to provide everyone with the opportunity to live the healthiest life possible. Diversity of background, experience, identity, ethnicity, race, sexual identity and orientation, and perspective improves the creativity, innovation, quality, and effectiveness of the therapy we provide.

On October 28th and 29th, 2021, we convened a meeting of Tx:Team’s IDB workgroup comprised of associates from around the country and members of our home office, along with guests from the Indiana University Schools of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Facilitated by Rob Shook and Bill Kirst, our workshop generated five specific initiatives that Tx:Team has adopted and will execute in 2022 and 2023:

  1. Develop an authentic and clearly articulated statement of Tx:Team’s IDB philosophy.
  2. Establish safe spaces for associates to be themselves, talk openly about key issues, and seek guidance from easily identifiable allies/mentors.
  3. Incorporate IDB into Tx:Team’s internal and external marketing and communication platforms and materials.
  4. Create a one-year fellowship for new Physical and Occupational Therapy, and Speech Language Pathology graduates with a specific focus on engaging therapists from groups that are historically underrepresented in our profession.
  5. Target groups in schools and organizations that are historically underrepresented in our industry and provide education, opportunities for shadowing, and other exposure to possible career paths in the rehab profession.

One of Tx:Team’s core identifying characteristics is authenticity, and we take this very seriously. Our intent was to clearly and publicly state who we are and what we believe, and then put those beliefs into action. To broaden our reach and better reflect the diversity found in our communities, we are creating opportunities for historically underrepresented groups to access the education, experience, and support necessary to join the therapy profession.

Tx:Team is a place for anyone with a passion for healing and a desire to change the world, and we are committed to fostering an environment where each associate can be included, valued, and seen. We want everyone who walks through our doors to feel safe and comfortable just being themselves.

Tx:Team Has a New Look

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After 38 years in business, Tx:Team has a new look.

Our rebrand kicks off the next chapter of Tx:Team’s story. Our new brand symbolizes revitalized energy and excitement about where we are going – it is modern, fresh, and relevant. We are building momentum and continuing to forge ahead as a fiercely independent, privately held, therapist-led organization.

In July 2021, founder Greg Jennings transitioned majority ownership of Tx:Team to his longtime executive leadership team, who will guide the company through its next 40 years. Tx:Team was built on a solid foundation focused exclusively on providing high-quality therapy services. This remains the core of who we are, even as we adapt and change to meet the needs of all we serve. No matter what happens in the healthcare industry, we find ways to differentiate ourselves and deliver innovative rehabilitation solutions.

When we were founded in 1983, our clients were primarily skilled nursing facilities. Since then, we have transitioned to working with hospital systems, senior living communities, and employer-based clinics.  As we evolve, so too does our brand.  We are now recognizable as Tx:Team, a national provider of physical, occupational, and speech therapy services operating in multiple states. We help our patients lead happier, healthier, and more active lives, which in turn, benefits the organizations we serve. We pride ourselves on being authentic and transparent.  We deliver customized therapy programs on behalf of our clients, and our nationally recognized outcomes speak for themselves.

Satisfaction doesn’t stop with our patients and partners; it extends to our associates as well. We believe that therapy is fundamentally a human-to-human interaction, and we hire people who are excellent at healing. Tx:Team was founded by a therapist and is still operated by therapists.  We know how our therapists feel because we have walked in their shoes. Throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are proud to say we have not furloughed staff or eliminated positions, but instead, have found ways to keep our workforce intact and to continue providing exceptional patient care. We value our people because Tx:Team is our people.

As we move forward with this new phase of Tx:Team, rest assured that we are still focused on providing the best in physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Tx:Team’s mission has always been to give everyone the best possible care, and that is never going to change. It is not just a mission statement up on the wall, it is the core of who we are. Working with us is good therapy.

 

Heart of the Home Safety Tips

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Occupational therapists help to develop, recover and maintain everyday activities for individuals. The kitchen is often seen as the heart of the home, a space where people spend a lot of time cooking, gathering, and eating, but the kitchen and other areas of your home can pose a lot of challenges for people who are aging. Due to shaky balance, low vision and slower reflexes, many aspects of the kitchen and your home can be dangerous for seniors.

Household Organization

  • Keep often used items within reach.
  • Move any items you use most out of the highest and lowest cabinets and shelves, and into easily reachable cabinets and drawers.
  • Store heavy items on a counter or at waist level to avoid bending and straining your back.
  • Keep drawers and cabinets closed when not in use.

Remember the Lights

  • Be sure you have ample lighting near the area you are working in the kitchen or other rooms.

Home Floors

  • Remove any rugs that slide.
  • If using an anti-fatigue mat in the kitchen, be sure it is secured to the floor to prevent falls.

Useful Kitchen Tools and Gadgets

  • Use an easy grip opener to help open those tight bottles and jars.
  • Have access to a Reacher grabber to avoid bending over to reach for an item on the floor.
  • Keep a magnifying glass handy to assist in reading labels.
  • Set timers  to avoid overcooking or burning foods.
  • Be sure to have a steady stool in your home for times when you need a rest.
  • Use different cutting boards for different foods. RED for meats  and GREEN for vegetables to avoid foodborne illnesses.
  • Use pots and pans with handles on both sides for easier lifting. Keep the handles turned so they are not sticking out over the edge of the stove or counter to avoid a spill which could lead to a fall.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy provides residents with the tools to optimize their home environments relative to individual abilities and promote full participation in daily life activities. As the population of older adults continues to grow, home modifications are a key factor in enabling individuals to age in place.

What is a Home Safety Assessment?

A home safety assessment is an in-person review by a licensed Occupational Therapist. The purpose of the assessment is to help the resident identify areas in the home which could lead to a fall or other injury and provide recommendations or modifications to increase usage, safety, security, and independence.

For more information on safety and independence in your home, talk to your Tx:Team Rehabilitation team!

Is It Safe to Go to Rehab?

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Many people are wondering…is it safe to go to a therapy clinic? During the pandemic, many people have adjusted their lives; working from home, less social activities, and simply staying sedentary on the couch.

All of these lifestyle changes can result in an increase of mild and chronic pains as well as a decrease in functional abilities. This is where physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology can step in and help.

Delaying procedures, reducing spending on preventive care and chronic care could and oftentimes causes negative long-term impacts on a person’s health. A survey by the Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) found…

  • 72% said that the pandemic has in some way impacted their health care.
  • 41% have delayed care during the pandemic.
  • 53% of seniors have delayed care.
  • 60% with chronic conditions have delayed care.
  • 38% will continue to delay care in the near future.

Physical, occupational, and speech therapists are considered essential workers and have played an important role throughout the pandemic. Therapists’ treatment plans are individualized and specifically address function to improve a patient’s quality of life while also treating pain and preventing future problems.

There are many conditions that physical, occupational, and speech therapists can treat to help patients avoid hospital visits. Therapists have been identified as professionals who can effectively deliver interventions to not only help patients with chronic pains which have been mounting up over the past months but they can also help those suffering from anxiety and depression, which has become more prevalent during COVID-19.

Fortunately, we don’t have to change our clinic practices during this time because we have always operated in a one-on-one capacity with our patients.  Tx:Team is also ultra-focused on the safety of our patients and our clinics by social distancing from other patients and following all recommended CDC guidelines. Our clinics are working extremely hard to ensure cleanliness for each patient through proper sanitation; all equipment and areas are sanitized after each patient’s treatment. Our therapists are also well-trained on the use of PPE and hand hygiene.

Our treatment philosophies remain the same – you will continue to get the same great service individualized for you in a one on one atmosphere that we have been delivering since 1983. Don’t ignore or delay possible care for a condition that physical, occupational, or speech therapy can help.  Come back to rehab confident that your safety and care is our top priority.

Occupational Therapy Awareness Amid Stay at Home Guidelines

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During Occupational Therapy Awareness Month, therapists are asking “what does Occupational Therapy look like amid coronavirus and stay at home guidelines?”

“The philosophy of Occupational Therapy focuses on improving performance in all areas of occupation to facilitate health and promote growth through change &/or adaptation.  The ultimate goal is the achievement of health, well-being and participation in life through engagement in occupation.”  (AOTA 2014).

“Occupational Therapy has a fundamental belief that a healthy lifestyle reflects the balance between work, play/leisure, self-care and rest activities.”  (Journal of OT in Mental Health, Crist et al, Sept. 25, 2008).

A return to a balance in daily occupations can be achieved with Occupational Therapy through therapeutic exercise, therapeutic activities, activity modification and adaptation,  when one is affected by undue stress, illness or injury, and by applying a similar philosophy in one’s own self care practices.

During this pandemic, how are we occupying our time?  Everyone is currently affected by a significant amount of change, which requires the ability to adapt in a positive manner to maintain our own optimal health.  This is a good time to take stock of our physical, mental, spiritual, as well as financial health.  We have had to adapt the way that we are performing our daily routines.  And by taking good care of ourselves, we are then able to engage with compassion toward others who need it…if you have 20 rolls of toilet paper and your neighbor only has 2 rolls left…kindly share!

April is Occupational Therapy Awareness Month.  Occupational Therapy problem solves to help people adapt to change.  Currently, everyone’s lives are disrupted in one way or another and all are forced to adapt to the changes.  By now, most of us have found ways to adapt and fill the increased hours spent at home, or you may be running out of ideas.  There are many resources available online to combat the anxiety, depression, boredom, and the “couch potato” syndrome that is being experienced related to the Stay at Home guidelines.

The following are some resources and strategies to help adapt and remain positively engaged while staying at home:

  • The W.H.O is having a Health at Home Challenge on Twitter, go to Twitter.com/WHO/Status#HealthyatHome.
  • Tao-Well.com – Tai chi & Qigong fit videos, focus on mindfulness, reducing stress, while promoting strength, flexibility and balance.
  • Down Dog Yoga App – health care providers can get free access to their apps through July 1st.
  • Woebot – free app to promote positive mental health.
  • NHS.uk – sofa workout, as well as many other types of exercise videos.
  • Spotify” app – has a variety of uplifting song playlists as well as podcasts.
  • ”themodernproper” on Instagram – therapeutic and creative cooking ideas. A new recipe is shared daily on Instagram

Rather than binging on TV shows, we find ourselves coming up with other activities to occupy our time.  Utilizing social media and video games, assembling puzzles, playing games, yard work, walking, biking, running, cooking, baking, arts & crafts, board games and cards have become increasingly popular, and quality time with family has become more important. Trying to maintain a sense of humor at this time, will also help to combat anxiety and depression.  YouTube videos are a great source of humor.  Even though at times it may seem like too much togetherness at home, we should cherish every minute that we have with our loved ones.

Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.

Contributed by Erin Winters, OTR/L, PTA

Erin Winters, OTR/L, PTA

Erin is an Occupational Therapist with Tx:Team at Putnam County Hospital.  She is a graduate of the Indiana University Occupational Therapy Program.  Erin has extensive experience in the treatment of adults with a variety of diagnoses from neurological, orthopedics of the upper extremity and hand, as well as chronic or acute conditions.

The Lymphedema Superheroes among us

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Today, Tx:Team celebrates Lymphedema Day and the work of therapists to serve those living with Lymphedema. Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists perform really incredible work so that their patients regain the strength and confidence to live a life they thought was out of reach. One of our own therapists, Amy Rutherford, pursued a specialty in Lymphedema therapy early in her career, and today, we highlight the care and compassion that she provides to the residents of Frankfort, Indiana.

Amy works at IU Health Frankfort Hospital, located about an hour northwest of the state’s capitol, Indianapolis, in its more rural Clinton County. In her area, she mostly sees Lymphedema patients coming in with swelling of the lower extremities from COPD and diabetes. For Amy, she appreciates how simple lifestyle changes can greatly affect her patients and reduce the burden of Lymphedema on their lives.

What’s Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is a diagnosis of body swelling that is caused from damage to the lymphatic system. Whereas healthy bodies can manage their fluids and dispose of waste properly, bodies with damaged lymph nodes can build up the fluid that would normally be filtered out. On the outside, we see that buildup of fluid looking like an arm or leg that’s been blown up like a balloon.

In early stages, Lymphedema is easily treatable and reversible. However, the signs of this stage are so subtle that they can be very difficult to detect. A patient might feel tight in clothing or they’ll need to loosen the notch of their wristwatch. By the time the body is noticeably swelling, Lymphedema has typically progressed into a lifelong chronic condition that can significantly interfere with someone’s quality of life.

How does Lymphedema affect a person’s life?

A swollen arm or leg can make it difficult for a person to get dressed in the morning because their body is heavier, and they might not fit in the clothes they usually wear. It can be more difficult to do some of life’s basic routines, like bathing, for example. Little things that we don’t think about in our everyday lives- like washing our feet- can suddenly become near impossible because it’s too straining to reach passed the swelling to the feet.

It’s not just a physical condition. You can imagine that not being able to fit in your normal clothes and going out in public with a large swollen arm could affect your self-confidence. And if you can no longer wash your feet, you probably feel less clean than you’d like to be. For these reasons, Lymphedema can take a toll on a person’s mental health. Feelings of embarrassment and depression can creep in and linger throughout the day.

Just about all superheroes don’t wear capes.

Day in and day out, Amy is committed to making her patients feel healthy and great about themselves. She provides not only her expertise, but also compassion for her patients’ lives. When a patient arrived unable to properly clean himself, she knelt down to wash his feet. Really wash his feet of likely weeks of grime. “Cleaning a patient,” she says, “is work that really creates a bond. It’s work that reminds you of the biblical act of washing feet to show your care for another.” Encouraging patients to use proper soap and lotions, like Dove and Eucerin, and getting them to be a little more active in their day has undoubtedly improved the lives of many. We remember how simple, yet genuine care can impactfully change lives.

So today, we thank Amy Rutherford for almost twenty years of work in her field. Lymphedema is a debilitating and frustrating condition that can bring a lot of pain into patients’ lives. Therapists like Amy, who have committed themselves to treating Lymphedema, offer support that restores independence and dignity to those they serve.

Amy is just one of our Certified Lymphedema Therapists. We are thankful for all our CLTs and the work they do.

 

Navigating the Experience Spectrum

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fork in the road webIn a world where changing technology and demographics have forced some careers to rapidly evolve or even go extinct, the therapist’s job description has largely gone unchanged.  So many of our Tx:Team clinicians, whether 30 days out of school or 30 years on the job, find that their passion for treating patients is very similar to someone who’s been treating for far longer or far less than they have.  Often times, academic backgrounds are identical, but clinicians are treating on polar opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to clinical experience.

With all attention focused on the patient, it’s always very exciting for a therapy company to find instances where clinicians, either experienced or inexperienced, are relying on their counterparts for advice and opportunities to collaborate on patient care.  The clinical experience component that is so vital to any clinician’s career is helped by the teamwork and collaboration that seems to come naturally to the associates in our facilities.

We’ve paired two clinicians from the same discipline but with different experience levels to get a sense of their team interactions.

We’re appreciative of their input and really proud of their interactions and contributions to their respective teams.

Kelly, OTR, treats in the Assisted Living setting in Charleston, SC.  Kelly is a 1992 graduate of Towson State University.  She specializes in dementia, low vision, neuromuscular, orthopedics, and urinary incontinence.

Q: As an experienced clinician, what do you feel is one thing that you bring to your team?

The knowledge of my past trial and error situations which have worked for some and not for others.  Even with experience, you will run into challenges and need to realize that it’s ok and necessary to try another approach or technique to get the optimal outcome.

Q: What’s one thing you feel you gain from the younger clinicians on your team?

The excitement and energy of being a new therapist.

Q: What advice would you or do you give to new members of your team?

Sometimes there will be some really stressful days, but just take a deep breath and take one patient at a time.  Positive energy in a clinic goes a long way.  Also, it’s ok to not know something.  That’s what other team members, resources, etc. are there for.

Q: Has the role of an OT evolved at all in the time you’ve been treating?

I don’t know how much the role of OT has evolved versus me evolving as an OT. When I started, the focus was self-care and craft based activities. Now, I feel like OT’s have the opportunity to take on more specialized areas at a more technical and educational level such as low vision, urinary incontinence, and power mobility devices.  I know in the past, my co-workers (especially PT’s) would joke around about doing needle-work and wood working projects. I haven’t heard that for a long time.  Maybe we have earned a little more respect from even within the interdisciplinary team.

Q: What’s one thing you know now that you wish you would have when you started treating?

The education and value of using modalities. My college only offered 1 day for modality education for estim, u/s, and paraffin.  I sort of shied away from it for the first several years as an OT.  There are certain areas of OT which modalities can make a world of difference.  I would have started off much earlier taking courses and getting hands on experience.

Q: Have you found the change to the EMR system difficult?  In what ways did you rely on your team in making the transition?

First of all, I had to look up what EMR stands for…guess a new grad would know that.  Electronic Medical Records (EMR) was fairly easy for me.  I actually learned the most by helping others with their questions and we often figured things out together before asking for help.

Q: The nature of the documentation you’re required to do today, in what ways is it better and worse than when you started treating?

With EMR, I have used a lot more objective functional and pain/disability assessments than I used in the past.  It actually helps validate the necessity and makes goal writing more objective like it is supposed to be.  With the forms being right on the computer, there is no need to carry around or anticipate the appropriate forms. It also cues you in areas that you may have forgotten to address.  The only negative to EMR is when computer systems are down or unavailable for use when you need it.  That’s when you wish you could just grab an eval form and a pen.

Q: Could you give an example of a technique that you learned on-the-job and not as a part of your formal clinical education?

In 1997, I worked in a facility where I was assigned to only wheelchair seating and positioning.  I knew almost nothing in this area and was so nervous.  An experienced OT taught me an unbelievable amount over that year and, without that on-the-job training, I don’t know if I would have ever known what I do now.

Q: What was some of the advice or things you learned from the experienced clinicians back when you started treating?

I was always told to constantly look at the whole person.  Whether you are working with UI, low vision, pain, ADL’s, weakness, whatever it is, always step back and look at who that person is, what is important to them and what they want to gain from you. 

Q: Why do you think certain techniques of occupational therapy have gone unchanged despite changes in types of medication and imaging that may have taken place in other areas of healthcare?

We work with people.  People still have the same bones and muscles, the same brain, and overall, the same physical, cognitive and psychological needs to live, work and play.

 

Leslie, OTR has been treating at Frederick Memorial Hospital and the outpatient FMH Rose Hill clinic, both in Frederick, MD.  Leslie came to Tx:Team following her recent graduation from Bridgewater College and Shenandoah University where she completed her clinical education in two and a half years.  Leslie treats both geriatric and pediatric populations, and is a gifted writer, having written a blog on pediatric patients with autism for the company website.

Q: As a younger clinician, what do you feel is one thing that you bring to your team?

I think being a new clinician right out of school, I have a lot of knowledge in regards to current evidence-based practice and new interventions to use with different diagnoses.  So, where as an older clinician may have a lot of experience, I’m bringing forward that new research and new evidence-based information to the clinic.

Q: What’s one thing you feel you gain from the experienced clinicians on your team?

It’s really cool that this job has the opportunity for me to work both in the outpatient setting and in the acute setting.  I don’t have as much experience in the acute setting, but the OTs there have really taken me under their wing.  One of the big things that I picked up over there was the verbiage they would use to educate patients.  It was very concise and to the point and it really got the message across in that setting, especially in regards to orthopedics and precautions as far as final preparations to really educate their patients and keep them safe before going home.

Q: What advice would you or do you give to new members of your team in terms of relying on more experienced clinicians?

I know a lot of therapists, myself included, who want to get everything done and learn everything in the first day, but it really is a learning experience.  It is a process where you’re going to make a few mistakes along the way, but it’s okay.  It’s been instilled in me that I’m still new, and I’m still learning, and they can fix documentation mistakes.  Learning a new EMR system is hard for anyone, and so when you’re starting out of school and you’re a new clinician, you’re not only learning to be a new therapist and learning a new job, you’re learning all the procedures along with it, so just be patient and know that it will become routine and everything will fall into place.

Q: How valuable have you found clinical experience to be in your career thus far?

Experience is very important and, even in the evaluation itself, you pick up verbiage when you’re around certain clinicians it’s really helpful and it kind of becomes a script for you to use as you’re going through your evaluation.  When you’re used to the same verbiage and repeating yourself with every new evaluation that you do, asking the same questions, it becomes habit and routine.  You make sure you’re covering all your bases thoroughly, evaluating all different areas of need for the patient.

Q: Do you feel like using an EMR system is easier for you as a newer clinician?

Our EMR system is pretty unique, and I feel I’m getting a lot of support from the older clinicians as far as navigating through the EMR system just because it has many layers.  However, in terms of technology, I do feel that I am able to help other clinicians find those evidence-based research articles by going through a lot of the university databases.  I think in that aspect, I’m helpful.

Q: What’s one thing you know now that you wish you would have when you started treating?

I think for any career you’re still learning each day and, when I’m treating a patient, it sparks my interest to research further.  I know as I continue to grow and gain more years of experience, I’m going to continue to have to go back to my research and my textbooks to find some of the answers to the questions that my patients spark in me or other questions that I may find interesting as far as diagnoses go and interventions.

Q: Did you have a certain fear coming out of therapy school?

There was some apprehension in that working with the geriatric population, there’s that age difference and although I am young, I appear a lot younger to some of my patients that I’m working with and it’s really important to establish that rapport with your patients, and fill that gap or that bridge between the two of you.  And I think through my first few days of working, I really felt comfortable building that rapport with my patients and treating them individually and making sure my therapy is very client-centered.

Q: Could you give an example of a technique that you learned on-the-job and not as a part of your formal clinical education?

I think some of the educational components I’ve learned in working with the orthopedic patients at the hospital and in the acute care setting, and also along the lines of orthopedics, at FMH Rose Hill, we have a certified hand therapist, so I’ve been doing my best to pick up tidbits from him as far as splinting, to strengthen knowledge in my area of practice.

Q: What do you think you may be learning ten years from now from an incoming therapist?

Manual Therapy techniques change often, so I can imagine looking to them for the most current Manual Therapy techniques and, again, the evidence-based research because it’s so important to our field.

Q: Why do you think certain techniques of occupational therapy have gone unchanged in comparison to some of the career types that have evolved over time within and outside of healthcare?

I think, in general, occupational therapists are really unique. I think we all have a passion for the humanities.  What drew me to occupational therapy is that it incorporates a lot of my different loves: the health field, architecture and modeling, art, working with children and the education component there.  It’s a very creative field and I feel that all OTs have the passion for a lot of different fields in life.  I don’t really think that our field has changed much, of course, there’s new research that comes out that helps change how we treat our patients a little bit, but at the same time, I think our roots of occupational therapy, based in psychology and the basis of educating and adapting ways to complete purposeful and meaningful activities.  I think that’s where the core of occupational therapy is and I don’t think it’s changed so much in that regard.

Is Love an Open or Closed Door for Children with Autism?

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Leslie Crawford is an Occupational Therapist with Tx:Team treating Pediatric patients in Frederick, Maryland.

 

If you are a parent of a school aged child, or have recently viewed YouTube’s top viral videos of 2014, you may have already heard Disney’s hit song “Love Is An Open Door,” from the PG rated flick Frozen.  However, with the warm sun and a plethora of outdoor activities in mid summer, the only thing with icicles in July may be your own AC unit, on the brink!

With the enticing outdoor activities summer offers and the rise of children away from their normal routines of school, it is important to raise awareness regarding wandering and elopement of children with Autism and take a minute to second guess that “open door.”  Children with Autism, or an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are often known to wander away from safe places and familiar environments resulting in increased danger and sometimes tragedy.  Particularly in the summertime, wandering behaviors contribute to increased risks of drowning and emergency medical service calls.  Therefore, preparedness by both parents, the community and first responders is essential.

Try “walking a mile”in the shoes of a child with ASD.  If an adult were to actually wear a child’s size 4 shoe all day, they would most likely have throbbing feet by their workday’s end!  I know I would!  Think of this throbbing as the continued discomfort and hypersensitivity that a child with Autism experiences on a daily basis.  Not only may children with Autism be hypersensitive to tight shoes, but to clothing in general with itchy tags around their collars, environmental temperatures, lights, sounds and vestibular motion.

While sensory processing in the brain is quite complex and can vary from person to person, we can all agree that when we are overwhelmed by a specific sensation, it is hard to filter out the extraneous input and attend to the task at hand. If you can’t relate to this experience, I challenge you to go to your local convenience store and buy a bag of “Pop-Rocks”or sour “Warheads” candy.  Next, open the candy and place some in your month.  Now, simultaneously begin a crossword puzzle.  How long will it take you to complete this task?  Are you having difficulty?  As I place candy in my own mouth while typing this blog, my mind is concentrated on the explosion of candy in my mouth: at my left cheek, now gums, now right cheek!

To promote Autism awareness in your community, help others to identify characteristics and potential behaviors a child with ASD may demonstrate.  Aforementioned, try the simulation above with random community members to help them understand sensory integration difficulties.  Further educate the community on communication difficulties children with Autism may experience, such as their ability to accurately interpret help, or those able to help them, their ability to identify danger, and their need for extra sensory, gestural and communication processing time.  With more knowledge regarding pervasive developmental disorders, the easier and safer it will be for all involved to respond to a situation regarding wondering or elopement.  Additionally, while some behaviors may prove to be challenging during a crisis situation, remind members of the community and first responders that certain behaviors may be self-soothing to the individual, and halting this behavior may exacerbate stress and increase the present danger to a child with Autism.

If your child has ASD, I encourage you to establish a plan and be proactive in anticipation of wandering and elopement.  Alert neighbors and your local EMS squad of you child’s diagnosis, as well as provide EMS with contact information of family members to be reached in case of emergency.  Know your neighborhood and preferred places your child may like to visit.  Occupational therapists can assist children and a family establish sensory diets and strategies to manage challenging behaviors, as well as their overall health, wellness and functional independence.  Many resources are available to practitioners and parents to help plan for wandering and elopement, such as The Big Red Toolkits for caregivers, clinicians and first responders.  This resource, developed by the Autism Wandering Awareness Alerts Response Education team, helps establish safe occupational engagement in the community.  The Big Red Toolkits are available online and contain educational materials, caregiver resources, tip-sheets, social stories to help child habituate to common events.

With the appeal of water in community pools, lakes and rivers, the risk of drowning associated with elopement and wandering is highly prevalent.  Ask your community pool about sensory supported swimming classes lead by an Occupational Therapist, who can provide aquatic training techniques to instructors to interact and teach children with ASD.

In order to make our community like Disney’s, “Magic Kingdom”, we must increase awareness and educate those around us of the Autism population’s needs.

 

 

 

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