http://asensorylife.com/feeding-challenges.html

This is the link to a helpful website for parents of children who are very picky eaters as a result of sensory processing issues. This was something I experienced a lot of during my first level 2 rotation. The website includes some resources and the tips for parents may be useful for therapists working with picky eaters as well.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiMxYPbvvjXAhUCheAKHWEGCm4QFghFMAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.r2d2.uwm.edu%2Fhousingplus%2Fexample-completed-housing-plus-ot-assessment.doc&usg=AOvVaw0f_f7uKM0pS2BSEAld2kOy

The link above is for an example of a completed home safety assessment completed by an OT. This would be a good example to refer to when completing home safety assessments in the future. I noticed the inclusion of things beyond physical safety hazards in the home such as poor body mechanics while using a walker. It's equally as important to look at how the person interacts with their environment during these types of assessments.

http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/030802260406700505

This article looks at the use of a 12 session life skills training course taught by OTs for individuals with Schizophrenia. The research determined that there was a decrease in overall psychopathy and negative schizophrenic symptoms. However, the difference in social function after intervention was not statistically significant.

https://www.aota.org/-/media/corporate/files/practice/children/schoolmhtoolkit/social-and-emotional-learning-info-sheet.pdf

Here's the link to the AOTA fact sheet for social-emotional learning. The fact sheet includes the social-emotional framework as well as the 3 tiered intervention system for OT.

https://newgradoccupationaltherapy.com/occupational-therapy-and-animals-part1/

This link is to a website containing information about the use of animals for OT intervention. This specialization like any other requires preparation and a certain level of comfort and confidence with the animals you are choosing to use. As all practice does, the use of animals should also be accompanied by up-to-date research in order to provide best practice.

Spencer, J. E., Emery, L. J., & Schneck, C. M. (2003). Occupational therapy in transitioning adolescents to post-secondary
activities. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 57, 435-441.

https://ajot.aota.org/article.aspx?articleid=1869399

The above article used a mailed survey to determine the type and perceived effectiveness of OT services provided to adolescents with disabilities. This article is important as it shows not only our involvement, but also potential barriers to the service we provide for this population. This study concluded that OTs in this setting are most likely to provide services related to adatptive technology, environmental modification and IEP planning.

https://www.aota.org/About-Occupational-Therapy/Patients-Clients/ChildrenAndYouth/Autism/ASD-High-School.aspx

Above is the link to the AOTA information/fact sheet for working with high school students with ASD. This age group experiences a lot of growth and transition which can be especially challenging for an individual with ASD. The fact sheet offers a list a goals you may have for your potential client as well as activity examples and the role of OT in achieving those goals.

https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/Advocacy/Licensure/StateRegs/ContComp/Continuing%20Competence%20Chart%20Short%201-2016%20cw.pdf

The link above includes CEU requirements for all states. With some of us considering travel therapy and the uncertainty that the future holds, these may be useful to have as a reminder.

https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/.../News/AOTAG-CodeChart2013.pdf

Above is the link to a PDF sheet covering frequently used assessments in the outpatient setting. There are also notes on the functional outcomes that each assessment measures to be reported for g-codes.

This is another example of some of the things I had the ability to add to my own OT toolbox during my 1st rotation.


http://www.theottoolbox.com/p/vestibular-activities.html

This is a goal bank that my fieldwork educator gave me during my first rotation. There are goals for different settings, both long term and short term.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fGWJPYSAPxWewnQLY_Bwkze3dQYTdefY/view?usp=sharing

http://www.billrobertsonmd.com/pdf/reverse-total-shoulder-arthroplasty-rehab-protocol.pdf

This is a write up of the reverse total shoulder procedure as well as the protocol for rehabilitation following the procedure. This will be useful for those of us who will be working in acute care, outpatient or skilled nursing settings. I had the opportunity to see one of these procedures done and I think understanding the process including why and how it is done helps better understand how to care for your clients.

https://www.toolstogrowot.com/blog/2016/01/11/primitive-motor-reflexes-their-impact-on-a-childs-function

This is an awesome website all around. This particular link leads you to information on the importance of reflex integration and a nice little handout about its importance. One of the key pieces of info I'd like to point out from this link are the recommended positions to encourage reflex integration. Children can carry out their favorite play or even school tasks in these positions to encourage integration of primitive reflexes which will ultimately make the child feel more comfortable with their body.

http://www.listenwell.com/English/Articles/how_we_listen.html

Before my SI rotation, I knew we all had a preferred ear. I did not know how important that preferred ear was to listening, hearing and sensory processing. Speech is processed on the left side of the brain. Therefore, everyone would benefit most from being right ear dominant because it gives auditory info a direct path to the left side of the brain. However, when someone is left ear dominant, auditory info goes to the right side of the brain where there is no language processing center. The info then has to cross the corpus callosum to get to the auditory processing center on the left side of the brain. This causes a delay in processing which can be accompanied by a multitude of other deficits. Ear dominance even affects our vestibular system and our emotional awareness.

http://occupationaltherapychildren.com.au/we-have-skills/my-childs-condition/about-auditory-processing-disorder/

This link contains information about, signs of and treatments/compensatory strategies for children with auditory processing disorder (APD). Children with APD have difficulty processing speech in any environment that is less than optimal. Therefore, creating and maintaining an optimal environment for them is always going to be a challenge. This site also includes a list of areas of auditory processing that children with APD will most likely have some level of difficulty with.

https://www.moveplaythrive.com/articles-by-move-play-thrive/what-is-rhythmic-movement-training

Rhythmic Movement Training (RMT) was one of the best and most useful things I learned during my first rotation. RMT helps support integration of primitive reflexes that my be retained as a child develops. Retained primitive reflexes can cause issues with behavior, sensory processing, motor skills, strength/endurance and visual motor skills. I witness countless benefits of RMT exercises and activities with my clients. This site contains video resources, case studies, testimonials and much more. This will be one of the first certifications I pursue as an OT.

https://www.superduperinc.com/handouts/pdf/399_WhatisSPD.pdf

One of the most important parts of my role in the outpatient SI setting was parent education. This was done through verbal communication and use of several handouts. This link is for a handout that explains sensory processing disorder in lay terms. We used a very similar handout to this one during my rotation.

https://www.nationalautismresources.com/sensory-ot/

This is a website from National Autism Resources from which you can order a ton of useful sensory items like brushes, vests, headphones and body socks. My FE from my first rotation used a couple different catalogs to order her sensory equipment. However, if you didn't have access to a catalog this would be a great site to order things to start building your OT tool kit!

http://www.zonesofregulation.com/index.html

This is the home website for zones of regulation. I used zones of regulation with well over 50% of the children on the caseload during my 1st rotation. There were so many ways that I was challenged to teach the zones of regulation to children in a way that was fun for them and that stuck with them from one session to the next. This site has research on the zones as well as webinars, training and additional products and resources.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=14&ved=0ahUKEwi7wYaK_LTXAhXFYiYKHfjGBAw4ChAWCFUwAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slhn.org%2F~%2Fmedia%2FFiles%2FPowerpoint%2FNeuro%2FNeurosymposium_Presentation_2015-CVA_OT.PPTX&usg=AOvVaw3UPionMK0uPh3s1Ebo32gQ

This is a link to another presentation, this one being on best practice with stroke survivors in an acute care setting. It did not come as a surprise to read that occupational engagement was the most crucial aspect of providing best care for stroke survivors in the acute care setting. Some reasons for this included improved patient outcomes and creating more respect for OT from other professions in this setting by showing the unique services our profession provides.