Professional Issues I
Students will study professional behaviors appropriate for placement in fieldwork sites. Successful work skills, client-centered practice in the community will be explored. Designated as a service-learning course.
Service Learning: High School Presentation
For this project I was partners with Kellie Thayne. We were required to do a presentation to a High School class on the profession of Occupational Therapy. We had a lot of fun doing it. We went to Mountain Ridge Jr. High in Highlalnd Utah, and spoke to a 9th grade girls PE class. We talked to them about what occupational therapy is, who would need it, and why a person may need it and all of the benefits of it. We also told the different setting that we can work in, where to go to get an education in OT, and how much it pays. We then talked to them briefly about shoulder co-contraction and showed them an activity that we would do with the scooter boards to facilitate it. The girls had a good time having a relay race on the scooter boards, being pulled around with a Theraband, and Kellie and I did too! We also gave them this hand out with all of the information on it.
Media Article: Submitted to the bark.com
‘DOG-GONE’ THERAPEUTIC
Animal companionship can provide love, affection, and an endless source of happiness. Over the last decade, numerous studies have emerged to support the view that animals can be ‘therapeutic’ also. In light of these studies, different programs have evolved to take advantage of the positive effects animals can have on people.
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) can have physiological, psychological, as well as physical and emotional benefits. Interaction with animals can decrease anxiety and loneliness, lower blood pressure and heart rate, increase social interactions and even boost your immune system functions. Barker & Dawson, (1998) found that for patients with schizophrenia, a caring relationship with a dog had a calming influence and also helped ground the patient in reality. A study by Oakley & Bardin, (1998) focused on children recovering from a traumatic brain injury. In the treatment sessions, occupational therapists use a dog to meet specific goals. “The children are highly motivated to interact with the dog, allowing the OT to facilitate the use of skills needed for independence in areas of grooming, dressing, cognitive and fine motor” (Oakley, 1998).
For many of us, our dogs fulfill such roles as companion, friend, confidant and defender, and can also satisfy our need for loyalty and trust. For many people, though, interacting with an animal can be an effective resource for healing, health and vitality.
Dana Van Oostendorp, SLCC, OTAS
Animal companionship can provide love, affection, and an endless source of happiness. Over the last decade, numerous studies have emerged to support the view that animals can be ‘therapeutic’ also. In light of these studies, different programs have evolved to take advantage of the positive effects animals can have on people.
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) can have physiological, psychological, as well as physical and emotional benefits. Interaction with animals can decrease anxiety and loneliness, lower blood pressure and heart rate, increase social interactions and even boost your immune system functions. Barker & Dawson, (1998) found that for patients with schizophrenia, a caring relationship with a dog had a calming influence and also helped ground the patient in reality. A study by Oakley & Bardin, (1998) focused on children recovering from a traumatic brain injury. In the treatment sessions, occupational therapists use a dog to meet specific goals. “The children are highly motivated to interact with the dog, allowing the OT to facilitate the use of skills needed for independence in areas of grooming, dressing, cognitive and fine motor” (Oakley, 1998).
For many of us, our dogs fulfill such roles as companion, friend, confidant and defender, and can also satisfy our need for loyalty and trust. For many people, though, interacting with an animal can be an effective resource for healing, health and vitality.
Dana Van Oostendorp, SLCC, OTAS
Culture Presentation:
The Latter-Day Saint Culture
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter--Day Saints are often referred to as Mormons, or members of the LDS Church. As their name states, they believe in Christ as well as in modern prophets. It is a worldwide church, with its headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah. Some interesting facts about the LDS culture are as follows:
SUPPORT SYSTEMS
- Bishop
Each person is a member of a congregation, or a “Ward”, which consists of 300-500 people. It is a geographical area, so for the most part, the members of their congregation are their neighbors. A man who serves as the Bishop, who assists them in reaching their spiritual and temporal needs, leads each Ward.
- Home Teacher
Each family, regardless of how small, is assigned two male members from the ward to be their “Home Teachers”. Home Teachers have the responsibility to make a monthly visit where they leave a spiritual message and see if there are any needs that the family might have.
- Visiting Teacher
Each woman in the ward has two women that visit monthly to give a spiritual message and help if needed.
- There are also Priesthood Quorums that can lend help and support as well as programs within the women’s organization, called the “Relief Society”, which has great support resources. The church also has a well-organized “Welfare Program” to help members who may have financial needs.
Knowing the support systems that are available to the members of the LDS Church, would be helpful to an O.T. in the case where additional help is needed.
HEALTH PRACTICES
Members of the LDS Church are known for their healthy lifestyles. They adopted a health code, which they received by revelation, and is called the “Word of Wisdom”. It suggests that they don’t drink alcoholic, smoke or chew tobacco, and avoid the use of “hot-drinks”; which is believed to be coffee and tea. They are encouraged to eat fruits and grains and to not misuse drugs. Exercise is also an important part of the Word of Wisdom. (Packer,B.K., 1996)
Understanding the health code of an LDS person, could help an O.T. be sensitive to their beliefs and not offend the client. For ex: visiting a client’s home with a cup of coffee could be offensive.
FAMILY
The family unit is central in the Mormon culture. They believe that families can be eternal, and that they live and progress together after this earthly life. In 1995 the leaders of the church issued a proclamation about the divine nature of the family. It explains the importance of the family unit, and how the relationships within the family should be conducted. It is called “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” (The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 1995)
Understanding the eternal belief that they have of the family, can help an O.T. appreciate their perspective about family members, living and dead.
DRESS
People of the LDS faith believe that their bodies are a gift from God, and that they protect and honor them by how they dress.
- Modesty
They live a modest standard of dress: no short shorts, miniskirts, bare mid-drifts or shoulders, low cut tops in the front or back, and nothing that is too tight or sheer.
- Garments
Garments are a very sacred piece of clothing worn as a symbolic gesture of promises they have made to God. Because of their sacred nature, the garments themselves should be treated with reverence and respect. For example, they don’t throw them on the floor when they are not being worn. They are always worn under other clothing, next to their skin, and take the place of regular underwear. Garments are a constant reminder of covenants they have made in the temple, to be honest and faithful to the covenants they have made to the Lord. One important thing to note is that not all adult members of the LDS faith wear Garments, just those who have gone to the Temple and made certain sacred covenants. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
Showing respect an understanding the sacred nature of the under garment, would be very much appreciated by any member of the Church that wears them.
CHURCH ATTENDANCE
Sunday is the Sabbath Day. They believe that it is a day to rest from the things of the world, and to worship God. They go to church, visit the sick, spend time with family, and study the scriptures. It is not a time for recreational activities, shopping, or anything that would make others have to work. (Groberg J.H., 1984)
The ability for an LDS client to attend Sunday meetings, could be an important goal.
LANGUAGE
Mormons believe it is important to refrain from using vulgar language, especially from using the name of God in vain.
SUPPORT SYSTEMS
- Bishop
Each person is a member of a congregation, or a “Ward”, which consists of 300-500 people. It is a geographical area, so for the most part, the members of their congregation are their neighbors. A man who serves as the Bishop, who assists them in reaching their spiritual and temporal needs, leads each Ward.
- Home Teacher
Each family, regardless of how small, is assigned two male members from the ward to be their “Home Teachers”. Home Teachers have the responsibility to make a monthly visit where they leave a spiritual message and see if there are any needs that the family might have.
- Visiting Teacher
Each woman in the ward has two women that visit monthly to give a spiritual message and help if needed.
- There are also Priesthood Quorums that can lend help and support as well as programs within the women’s organization, called the “Relief Society”, which has great support resources. The church also has a well-organized “Welfare Program” to help members who may have financial needs.
Knowing the support systems that are available to the members of the LDS Church, would be helpful to an O.T. in the case where additional help is needed.
HEALTH PRACTICES
Members of the LDS Church are known for their healthy lifestyles. They adopted a health code, which they received by revelation, and is called the “Word of Wisdom”. It suggests that they don’t drink alcoholic, smoke or chew tobacco, and avoid the use of “hot-drinks”; which is believed to be coffee and tea. They are encouraged to eat fruits and grains and to not misuse drugs. Exercise is also an important part of the Word of Wisdom. (Packer,B.K., 1996)
Understanding the health code of an LDS person, could help an O.T. be sensitive to their beliefs and not offend the client. For ex: visiting a client’s home with a cup of coffee could be offensive.
FAMILY
The family unit is central in the Mormon culture. They believe that families can be eternal, and that they live and progress together after this earthly life. In 1995 the leaders of the church issued a proclamation about the divine nature of the family. It explains the importance of the family unit, and how the relationships within the family should be conducted. It is called “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” (The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 1995)
Understanding the eternal belief that they have of the family, can help an O.T. appreciate their perspective about family members, living and dead.
DRESS
People of the LDS faith believe that their bodies are a gift from God, and that they protect and honor them by how they dress.
- Modesty
They live a modest standard of dress: no short shorts, miniskirts, bare mid-drifts or shoulders, low cut tops in the front or back, and nothing that is too tight or sheer.
- Garments
Garments are a very sacred piece of clothing worn as a symbolic gesture of promises they have made to God. Because of their sacred nature, the garments themselves should be treated with reverence and respect. For example, they don’t throw them on the floor when they are not being worn. They are always worn under other clothing, next to their skin, and take the place of regular underwear. Garments are a constant reminder of covenants they have made in the temple, to be honest and faithful to the covenants they have made to the Lord. One important thing to note is that not all adult members of the LDS faith wear Garments, just those who have gone to the Temple and made certain sacred covenants. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
Showing respect an understanding the sacred nature of the under garment, would be very much appreciated by any member of the Church that wears them.
CHURCH ATTENDANCE
Sunday is the Sabbath Day. They believe that it is a day to rest from the things of the world, and to worship God. They go to church, visit the sick, spend time with family, and study the scriptures. It is not a time for recreational activities, shopping, or anything that would make others have to work. (Groberg J.H., 1984)
The ability for an LDS client to attend Sunday meetings, could be an important goal.
LANGUAGE
Mormons believe it is important to refrain from using vulgar language, especially from using the name of God in vain.