RSCC Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

This article discusses interventions that are used on a patient who has suffered from a stroke. The article also includes his FIM scores in several areas and where he needs to be in order to be discharged. It is nice seeing that in context now that we know what the scores mean.

A short step by step video of a handyman walking through a home and describing modifications needed to make it wheelchair friendly :) He does a great job of showing why what is already there needs to be modified. It points out things most of us wouldn't think of as being an issue.

This is an article that discusses aging in place. It goes into specific detail about what OTs do and their involvement with aging in place. It also talk about CAPs (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist) and the role they take on with aging in place. I found it to be pretty interesting on this subject.

A super short video I took last year at the AOTA conference that I thought was amazing! (as you can tell from my loud mouth reaction) This assistive technology gives the ultimate form of independence!

I was searching for information on tertiary prevention when I came across this website. I got completely sidetracked. This article talks about a study that was done on strength training related to reducing work related injuries. Strength training was actually encouraged on the job. Reminded me of how my husband took an empty space at his work and turned it into a place for his co-workers to work out when they wanted to. They have a couple of punching bags and mats and even have a boxing instructor and Krav Maga instructor that teaches them a couple of times a week. I like that there are studies backing up strength training at work.

This covers the three areas of prevention we briefly touched on this week and that was mentioned in the Early quiz. I did not remember what tertiary prevention was so I went looking for an article to help me. I hope this helps someone else keep this straight too.

We've covered the benefits of tummy time in infancy in Pediatrics, but this article expands upon the benefits as children grow up. They had some good ideas how to incorporate tummy time into the classroom, and demonstrates how beneficial tummy time can be for adults. Maybe we can try it when we are writing papers this semester haha?

who remembers backward chaining from Neuro class? It applies to all ages. It can be very helpful with the pediatric population. It involves breaking down the steps in hopes of making a task easier. Great idea for all ages.

This study explores how effective energy conservation techniques are for three tasks: shopping for groceries with a grocery bag vs. a shopping cart, washing clothes while standing vs. sitting, and hanging clothes to dry at shoulder height vs. waist height. The subjects were divided by age; one group was 60 or < and the other group was over 60. Read this article to find out why two of the EC techniques benefited only the younger group. This study raises interesting questions about considering clients' contexts before suggesting EC techniques.

In class we have been discussing the wellness wheel and holistic health. This article about wheelchair tennis is inspiring and encouraging for persons living with disabilities. As practitioners, we should be aware of a variety of resources that could help our clients live full lives. "Wheelchair Revolution" relates the history of wheelchair tennis through the lives of Brad Parks and Jeff Minnebraker, both paraplegics. The two fatefully met at the Ranchos Los Amigos rehab center (remember the levels of consciousness scale by the same name?) in the 1970s. Minnebraker was a pioneer of lightweight, maneuverable w/c's, while Parks was experimenting with w/c tennis. The article also describes the game's popularity, attractive prize money, international tour, and sizable fan base. More info on wheelchair tennis can be found at http://www.usta.com/Adult-Tennis/Wheelchair-Tennis/Wheelchair/.

I found a neat video on a little boy that has an electric arm that helps him do tasks with cutting to blowing bubbles. Also, a video of a young pop singer that I am sure several of us have heard her songs at some time or another. Now she is a model that models prosthetic arms. She has recently been fitted with a new bionic arm that is very futuristic in my opinion.

How would a blind person play tennis? This article explains the sport of blind tennis and gives some information about the sport's history, which started in 1984. With certain modifications of rules and equipment, blind or otherwise visually impaired individuals can participate remarkably well. Scientists are discovering other ways that the brain "sees." The visual cortex apparently can also process auditory and tactile stimuli, and impaired individuals also do have some visual perception, using other senses to monitor their surroundings. When blind tennis players begin to succeed on court, that success carries over into other areas of their lives. The article includes conversations with instructors and students, and is inspiring to those who think they "can't."

This short video shows how a prosthetic hand is made from a 3D printer. At the TNOTA Conference last year, a presenter described the impact of 3D printing on manufacturing in general and on OT interventions specifically. Prosthetics can now be much more customized to the needs of the patient, more aesthetically appealing, quicker to make, and much less expensive. The possibilities of use of 3D printing with disabled individuals are nearly limitless.

One of my husband's co-workers has a 3-D printer. Those things are changing our world! I love this!

This is realy neat Beth! I like that is is much less expensive and I actually think these look less like prothetics and more on the advanced robotic side. With practice a person could make alot of heads turn in a curious way when out in public with one of these 3D devices!

Looking over my bookmarks to Diigo, I must enjoy recreation and leisure a lot, but I couldn't resist posting this blog about amusement parks and accessibility. The author identifies 6 amusement parks in the U.S. and briefly describes the unique perks of each. From Morgan's Wonderland in TX, built specifically for special needs children, to Cedar Fair Parks in NC and OH, which cater especially to children with autism, this is an interesting list of possibilities. Although this is just a blog, it provides quite a bit of information and photos.

I am going to send this my friend who has ALS. What a great list. Thank you Beth!

This tool is to provide anyone that is blind an easy way to read brail out loud. I like this because it seems very easy to grasp, and you are able to roll it. Also, there is an optional bluetooth piece you can get with it to allows you to listen without disturbing anyone around you. You can use it to go at your own pace instead of scanning big chunks of words and having to listen to it however fast/slow the device allows.

A friend of mine built a sensory room for her child about a year ago. I was fascinated by this. Her dedication to her children never ceases to amaze me. She has adopted three children with special needs. She teaches foster care classes and is in the process of getting trained to teach CPR and first aid for mental health. She built her sensory room on a budge, a tight one. Since we are getting ready to discuss sensory integration I thought this would be an appropriate topic to post here. I can't wait to help clients put together one of these. How fun!

I posted this video on facebook. Some people left mean comments about it but I still think it is a wonderful invention. It states in the description that it is not meant for highway use. It has given this woman back some of her independence and I think it is worth it. No, you probably do not want to drive down the interstate with it but it;s great for getting around town at a slow and steady speed.

This is to neat! Slow and steady is good, and getting some independence back in a very healthy thing for a person who is wheelchair bound.

This website really helped me understand body mechanics more. Of course we all should know by now what the basic body mechanics are "lift with your knees, keep heavy loads close to your body etc." This website takes it one step further and actually describes in detail how to specifically perform each technique. It also mentions several techniques that I was not aware of. It is so important to take care of your body, and to stay safe. This is a great website to take a look at!

I found this article interesting because the new protocol it addresses seems to help a patient bounce back after surgery, reduces recovery time, and reduces the use of narcotics after surgery. After all, getting back to the routine of life and our daily occupations is what we do in OT!

This is a story of a little girl that touched my heart as I read and looked at the pictures. The story has part 1 and part 2 with pictures of her as she underwent treatment for bone cancer. Kaela ends up with an amputation and a prosthetic leg. Brave little girl with a happy ending after all.