Speaking of.....OT

You Said It! - Occupational Therapy! This is a Mini Movie created by vaithirehab1 (YouTube handle) with an intention to make the general public aware about Occupational Therapy and promote Occupational Therapy profession in India.

Or as I'd like to call it, "OT Jargon".  The first time many OT's open their first client chart, they become cross-eyed. I've come across at least 3 different ways to abbreviate the word "independent" and have written progress notes and discharge summaries ad nauseum.  There are all sorts of abbreviations and symbols never seen before. It takes a lot of time to get used to but at the end you too can became familiar with "c/o, CBR, CXR, EOM, LOS..." and many more commonly used acronyms.  Some time ago, I figured I should start making a list of all the symbols, abbreviations, and acronyms that I have come across and others that I might see in the future. Over the course of a few months and with the help of the Quick Reference Dictionary for Occupational Therapists by Karen Jacobs, EdD, OTR/L, CDE, FAOTA, I have compiled a list of useful terminology that might be beneficial to OT students, OTAs, OTRs,  and even PTs.

One of the very first lectures I attended when I started graduate school was on falls and fall prevention. Since then, we have had numerous lectures on the topic. I’m starting to think the topic might just be something to make note of as OTs.   So, here’s a little synopsis on what I’ve managed to retain from those lectures, followed by a list of appropriate Assessments (click on the name to direct you to the website). Definition of fall: “A subject’s unintentionally coming to rest on the ground or on some other lower level, not as a result of major intrinsic event, for example, stroke or syncope or over whelming hazard that would result in a fall by most young, healthy persons” (Tinetti, et. Al., 1988). 33% of community dwelling elders, age 65 or older, fall at least 1 or more times a year, and the frequency increases with age. Falling leads to loss of mobility and independence; it affects all body systems. As occupational therapists, some things to take into consideration

Here is a short list of useful OT Apps I've come across. If you have other recommendations, please feel free to comment and add.  1.  Dragon Dictation   Finally, if you have a patient that can speak but not write, check out this app. It is a free voice recognition app available for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. 2.  Verbally   This is an easy-to-use, comprehensive Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app for the iPad. It brings speech to those without and enables real conversation with its simple, intuitive design. Available for free, simply tap on the image to get Verbally to say it for you. 3.  Autism Express   Use this simple app to get feelings listed as pictures. Simply have a patient point to a face to describe their current mood. Available at no charge, it is intended for autism patients. 4.  Small Talk   Get an app designed specifically of the population that need specific and functional phrases paired with simple yet engaging illustrations. Ea

I came across this video on YouTube about a woman with no arms. I immediately felt sorry for her. Even before I watched the video I started wondering how her life must be so difficult, imagining how she manages to do..anything. Needless to say, Barbara Guerra is an inspiration. I'm absolutely in awe of her..limitless abilities. Here's the video which, by the way, mentions Barbara's first encounter with an Occupational Therapist! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKA_hNszdn0