Throughout an individuals life they may experience a delay in development or suffer from a disability brought on from injury or disease. These individuals may need assistance learning how to perform tasks that they use in their every day life. In my role as an Occupational Therapy Assistant I would be helping individuals with disabilities or delays learn or relearn tasks and skills so that they can live a more independent life.
As an Occupational Therapy Assistant I will treat not just the impairment but the individual as well. Adapting a holistic view allows me to treat the whole person, body and mind. I will take into account their needs, interests, and their hope of what will come as result of their therapy. I will implement the “Core Values And Attitudes Of Occupational Therapy Practice” (The American Journal of Occupational Therapy 1993 (http://www.aota.org/Pubs/AJOT_1.aspx) into my daily routine when working with an individual who is disabled or delayed.
In addition to these core values that all Occupational Therapists should employ I will also use my own Spirituality when caring for individuals with delays or disabilities while at the same time respecting the spirituality of the individual I’m treating. Planning tasks and activities that are spiritually based are no different from any other task or activity that we may use with individuals including prayer and religious practices. “Discussing the individuals spiritual practices does not necessitate including these activities in the intervention plan, but simply allow for such an option to be present” (OT Practice). To some spirituality is an important part of their life but one they may not view as an effective tool when planning a therapeutic plan for recovery. For the patient that has had a stroke and has lost strength in their hand, holding and reading the Bible may be important to them. Holding a book and manipulating its pages may be a useful activity to them.
My goal as an Occupational Therapy Assistant will be to “return the person to his or her environment with the skills necessary to resume previous occupations and roles” (Ryan’s Occupational Therapy Assistant). Ultimately, my goal will to be to realize that simple every day tasks are not so simple for everyone and that everyone deserves the chance to live an independent life.
References
Black, Roxie M., Bouthot, Jacqueline & Wells, Tashana (2011, February 21)Spirituality in Practice. OT Practice, 13 – 16
Kanny, Elizabeth (1993). Core Values And Attitudes Of Occupational Therapy Practice. The American Journal Of Occupational Therapy, 47.NO.12, 1085-1086
Ryan, Sally E. & Sladyk, Karen (2005). Ryan’s Occupational Therapy Assistant: Principles, Practice Issues, and Techniques Fourth Edition. (In Bonnie Brooks, Med, OTR, FAOTA) Occupation: An Individual’s Choice (pp 87 – 94). New Jersey: SLACK Inc
As an Occupational Therapy Assistant I will treat not just the impairment but the individual as well. Adapting a holistic view allows me to treat the whole person, body and mind. I will take into account their needs, interests, and their hope of what will come as result of their therapy. I will implement the “Core Values And Attitudes Of Occupational Therapy Practice” (The American Journal of Occupational Therapy 1993 (http://www.aota.org/Pubs/AJOT_1.aspx) into my daily routine when working with an individual who is disabled or delayed.
- Altruism – I will selflessly care for all individuals
- Equality – I will treat every individual with respect regardless of any differences.
- Freedom – I will remember that every individual has the right to make decisions for them self based on what is important to them.
- Justice – I will remain within the legal boundaries when practicing Occupational Therapy regardless of where I am treating individuals and to anyone in need of my services.
- Dignity – I will do my best to maintain an individual’s pride.
- Truth – I will not mislead individuals receiving therapy. I will be honest and forthcoming to all that are invested with the care of any individual.
- Prudence – I will make decisions on care through the use of reason. I will use “reflection” and “rational thought” (The American Journal of Occupational Therapy) when addressing the care of any individual.
In addition to these core values that all Occupational Therapists should employ I will also use my own Spirituality when caring for individuals with delays or disabilities while at the same time respecting the spirituality of the individual I’m treating. Planning tasks and activities that are spiritually based are no different from any other task or activity that we may use with individuals including prayer and religious practices. “Discussing the individuals spiritual practices does not necessitate including these activities in the intervention plan, but simply allow for such an option to be present” (OT Practice). To some spirituality is an important part of their life but one they may not view as an effective tool when planning a therapeutic plan for recovery. For the patient that has had a stroke and has lost strength in their hand, holding and reading the Bible may be important to them. Holding a book and manipulating its pages may be a useful activity to them.
My goal as an Occupational Therapy Assistant will be to “return the person to his or her environment with the skills necessary to resume previous occupations and roles” (Ryan’s Occupational Therapy Assistant). Ultimately, my goal will to be to realize that simple every day tasks are not so simple for everyone and that everyone deserves the chance to live an independent life.
References
Black, Roxie M., Bouthot, Jacqueline & Wells, Tashana (2011, February 21)Spirituality in Practice. OT Practice, 13 – 16
Kanny, Elizabeth (1993). Core Values And Attitudes Of Occupational Therapy Practice. The American Journal Of Occupational Therapy, 47.NO.12, 1085-1086
Ryan, Sally E. & Sladyk, Karen (2005). Ryan’s Occupational Therapy Assistant: Principles, Practice Issues, and Techniques Fourth Edition. (In Bonnie Brooks, Med, OTR, FAOTA) Occupation: An Individual’s Choice (pp 87 – 94). New Jersey: SLACK Inc