Let's Talk Mock (Interview)

 

• How do you feel the interview went overall? 
• I believe the interview went really well. It was generally what I was expecting, with interview questions I felt prepared to answer. Mrs. Young-Moore was serious and created an authentic feel to the interview. 
• How did you prepare for the interview?
• I thought back to previous interviews I had such as the OT school interviews, leadership interviews, and various job interviews. I also reviewed my own resume and cover letter to know exactly what the interview would know about me. Finally I reviewed resources available to me on blackboard such as "Five Words You Should Never Use to Describe Yourself in an Interview" and "Best Answers to the 11 Most Difficult Interview Questions".
• What, if anything, went differently than you expected?
• The question "If a professor could/would change something about how you perform in class or on fieldwork what would it be?" really threw me for a loop because it was not something I had thought about prior to this interview.
• What's something you would change if you could go through this process again (or something you'll do differently when you're in a real-life interview situation)?
• I would answer the above question differently now that I have had the chance to think about it more. I answered by stating that the professors would change some of my silliness. I do not necessarily believe this is true. I think if my professor could change anything about me it would be my tendency to be slightly scatter brained. I will work on the best way to phrase this in an interview setting so as to be truthful but still paint myself in a flattering light. 
• What's something you learned during this process that may be helpful to you as you prepare to enter the workforce as an OT practitioner?
• Quick thinking and a solid facial expression! I think this will be really helpful when working at a FW student and I get fluster and when working as a practitioner when things don't go quite as planned.

my fault or yours?

Locus of Control- LoC

I scored a 14 on the locus of control worksheet. A zero is external and a 23 is internal. A 14 airs on the side of internal locus of control but just barely. So what does all of this mean? Is everything my fault, your fault, or the world in generals fault? And what does that have to do with occupational therapy?

Locus of control refer to who/what is responsible for what is happening in the world. Individuals who have an internal locus of control tend to take responsibility for their actions and believe they are responsible for changing things in life. Individuals with an external locus of control believe things are out of their hands and the often the fault of others.

I do believe there are things that are out of my control and things I cannot take responsibility for, like the current state of the world with COVID-19. The only role I know to take in that is to wear and mask, touch as few things as possible in public, and try to be kind. But that role can be viewed as an internal locus of control as well because I AM doing something to help.

I think my 14 score is right on the money.

LoC and OT

As an occupational therapist our goal is to promote and internal locus of control. We want client/patients to feel they are in control of recovery, of therapy, of their care plan. The mantra and purpose of occupational therapy is to be client centered and holistic, meaning every therapy should be tailored to an individuals needs. If an OT is presented with a client who believes everything just happens to them and is out of their control, gentle encouragement to be self-fulfilling will be the best therapy they can give. 

Encouraging a client to want to get better on their own accord. This wont always be a possibility so making sure to be patient and understanding is key. And making sure to never lose sight of the big goal which is making the individual have the best quality of life possible for them specifically. 

A Glyph on Leadership

A look into my stance on leadership in the form of a drawing:

I found this exercise interesting. When I went back to look at my drawing from the beginning of the didactic portion of OT school I was very surprised to find the images were almost identical. I don't think this means I haven't experienced growth in OT school but rather that I have a pretty firm stance on my leadership style. I believe this comes from seeking out and holding leadership positions since I was young. I also believe this is due to my relationship and draw to leaders. One of the most important things I think I have learned in OT school is what I need in order to be successful. I need to be pushed to be the best version of myself and that comes from leadership (as in being led by an effective leader) or the drive to be a good leader/example to others.  

Empathy/Sensory Sim Reflection

Reflecting on my Most Challenging Simulation So Far

Despite being slightly overwhelmed in the debrief, I really enjoyed this simulation. I think it is exciting and really love applying skills learned in class. That being said moving forward I will move through the explanation of a disorder and recommendations much slower. I feel like I spent quite a bit of time talking and little time listening. I gave the mother opportunities for questions but she had little to say and I wish I had probed more. I value developing a connection to people I work with and providing easily understandable explanations of what is happening. I think these are two ways I convey my attitude of care but I know body language and use of repetition back to client are great ways to achieve this. I will incorporate what I learned from this simulation in the future by reminding myself that clients what to be heard as much as they want to hear. I want to develop a strong report and hold a conversation with my clients. 

Media Project: Using Tin Foil as Assistive Technology

The Wedge:

Poster presentation on Craig and "The Wedge"

Occupational Therapy school has challenged me in new ways in the last couple of weeks.  In the course Neurological Aspects of Occupational Performance (OT 537) we were given a form of media and asked to transform it in to a purposeful modality for therapy. This assignment definitely got my creative juices flowing and pushed me out of my comfort zone. I was assigned tin foil as my media and the case study of Craig, a man in his mid thirties that just sustained a C5 complete spinal cord injury. Craig enjoys his life with his wife and owns his own small business, he is currently in the acute phase of his injury and experiencing Autonomic Dsyreflexia. 

After I read my assigned case study I racked my brain for activities I could do with Craig and Tin Foil. I continuously drew a blank so I decided to look back at my spinal cord injury notes. In the acute phase of SCI an OT's role is positioning, splinting, range of motion, and manual muscle testing. A light bulb went off, Craig is experiencing AD, I could use foil to help combat this by making a wedge! This would allow him to work up to a sitting position, allowing him mobility while in a seated chair, sitting to eat and do other activities of daily living. I got to work!

From this project I learned: 

Some occupational therapy interventions are as simple as working on positioning. The wedge will serve as a building block for Craig and eventually help him gain independence.

How my OT outlook changed as a result of this project:

Prior to this project I believed an OT intervention needed to be a flashy game or high tech assistive technology, I now understand that something as simple and repositioning and building endurance to allow one to complete an ADL or occupation (like using the wedge to sit up and brush ones teeth) is effective and exciting. 

How this project will effect me moving forward:

I think moving forward I will be more mindful of the new uses for everyday objects in occupational therapy. I also really enjoyed explaining what I was doing to my friend and family who were not as familiar with OT and OT school. I got a kick out of being called "Macgyver" by my mom and boyfriend.

The wedge at work!

Executive Functioning Success: Blog Review

Neuro Note 4 OT 537

Prior to OT 537 I was unaware of what Executive Function Disorder was. Now I know that executive function disorder, or EFD for short, is "A set of skill deficits that impair one’s ability to perform higher level cognitive tasks such as planning, organizing and managing time and space." When looking in this disorder I found an organization based out of Oregon called Executive Functioning Success. This organization works to counsel students and individuals struggling with time management, organization skills and other executive functioning struggles. Executive functioning success markets tutoring options, book, planners, study materials, and even a blog.

Image retrieved from google images

The executive functioning success blog began in October 2018, therefore it is still very new. The blog has 10 post, covering topics like; "Three Tips for a Happier Holiday Season",  "Build Your Own Ship: Goals for 2019" and "The Power of Paper for Your Future- An ADHD Palooza!" The blog aims to bring awareness to people with EFD about how they can make small changes and see big improvements. I also feel that the author and owner Marydee Sklar uses this platform to share what has worked for her over the year and is building a community of people to support one another.

I read several post by Marydee, who herself struggles with executive functioning, one of my favorite posts of hers was on a book review. The book Marydee reviews is Late Bloomers - The Power of Patience in a World Obsessed with Early Achievers. She encourages anyone who struggles with EFD, she specifically calls for adults struggling with EFD, to read this book. Marydee discusses how this book allowed her to realize that there are aspects to be celebrated about being a "late bloomer". I do however, think this leaves room for confusion.  Marydee claims that she struggles with EFD but is also a late bloomer. My concern is that people who do not fully understand Executive Function Disorder may self diagnose as a late bloomer or an individual with EFD when in reality they are one or the other or both.

Marydee Sklar- founder of Executive Functioning Success
Image retrieved form google images

I do wish Marydee had more information on the ins and outs of EFD on her blog, however the tips, tricks and general awareness she brings to this disorder are great. She is fighting the good fight with loads of encouragement and positivity. She is raw and real. She talks about the way she celebrates small success and big success like completing a marathon using time management in training to combat her EFD. 




Reference:

Executive Functioning Success. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://executivefunctioningsuccess.com/

Lancaster, S. Executive Function Disorder [Powerpoint slides]. Retrieved August 19, 2019, from www.blackboard.com

You're Not You

Neuro Note 3 OT 537

The summer between fifth and sixth grade my (new) friend Ali lost her dad to a degenerative disease called ALS. I knew how sad it was and I was so heartbroken along with everyone else at vacation bible school and in our little sixth grade class. Over the next three years of middle school Ali and I were extremely close, however she rarely talked about her dad.

Image retrieved from:
google images

       Now thirteen years later I feel like I have a better understanding of what Ali and her family went through and maybe why she never really talked out it. Following the OT 537 lecture on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, I decided to watch the movie "You're Not You" about a woman, Kate, in her thirties diagnosed with ALS. The movie following this fictional character as she navigates her final years and the progression of the disease.
     Prior to the lecture and movie, all I knew about ALS was that it took my friends dad young and there was an ice bucket challenge to raise awareness. However I now feel like I have an understanding of what happens to an individuals body and the differing mindsets that one goes through. In the movie it is abundantly clear that Kate is of sound mind and is struggling with the people she knew prior to her diagnosis. "You're Not You" dives into what a diagnosis like ALS does to not only an individual but the support system as well.
      Kate's marriage struggles following her diagnosis, her husband is caring for her but begins to stray from their marriage and her friends begin to treat her differently. Because of this Kate develops a very strong relationship with her new caregiver. Together they join an aquatic therapy group and Kate is able to meet friends in similar circumstances. Her overall mind set is improved and she is able to enjoy her last months. SPOILER, in the end she is able to make amends with her husband and friends and they have their time together as well.
      I do believe that this movie brings to light issues that Occupational Therapist are responsible for addressing which is support system education and assistance. I know my childhood friends family could have found benefits in additional supports. This lead me to research ALS support groups. For the purpose of this blog I searched the state of Tennessee. I found that there are 5 support groups across the state located in the Tri-Cities, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, and west TN. I will link that information below.

image retrieved from google images.

      I also looked into resources for children. I found that the ALS association has linked approximately 17 sites for more information for children to learn about or cope with a family member having ALS. This includes grief camps and counseling, webinars, and Facebook pages. All incredibly help resources for families to build a community of others who understand what they are going through.
     Overall I think raising awareness about ALS and the effects it has on families is imperative and movies like "You're Not You" are essential to that process. Occupational therapy plays such an integral role in helping individuals and families learn about what is going to happen next and make sure they know that they are not alone.


Links:
You're Not You: Ways to Watch
Tennessee ALS Support Groups
ALS Children's Resources


Reference:

Children's Resources. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://webdc.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=DC_8_PALS_Resources_Children


Support Groups. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://webtn.alsa.org/site/PageNavigator/TN_8_SupportGroups.html?_ga=2.57776418.947242325.1566101634-5536838.1564614921&_gac=1.116540148.1566147328.CjwKCAjw7uPqBRBlEiwAYDsr1xdM_DzPu-ejSGqdjc6DorEvCOlo4rDC6VGgw8AtNb7bcHpArxjFXRoC8w4QAvD_BwE