Occupational Therapy Clinical Skills I

This course introduces the students to skills performed by an Occupational Therapist Assistant. The OT assessment process will be explored, including the role of the OT and OTA during the assessment, treatment planning, treatment implementation and discharge stages. Purposeful activity as a therapeutic intervention will be emphasized. Clinical management and treatment interventions of conditions commonly seen in Occupational Therapy will be explored. Students will understand training in Activities of Daily Living (ADL/IADL) and the use of assistive devices/adaptive equipment to facilitate and encourage safety and increased independence with functioning. The student will be expected to demonstrate competence in the areas of transfers and handling skills. Lab sessions will provide students with an opportunity to practice therapeutic interventions, remedial exercises and training in the use of compensatory aids/strategies. Effective communication during instruction and cuing and when providing feedback to the client will be expected.