Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Practice Domain PaPer

Description of Assignment

Students will become more familiar with the domains from the OT Practice Framework by selecting one item from each domain and, using their own words, describing each item chosen and giving examples. Students will base their description of the items and examples on the
case study assigned to them (see below).

Students will list three professional organizations, community agencies or associations that the parents of children, adults or older adults could call for information or resources; students will provide a brief description of each resource.

Students will conclude their paper with a written script of a 30 second elevator speech, defining / describing what occupational therapy is.
This paper should be no more than four pages.

Section 1

Each student will be assigned a developmental age group on which to base his or her paper (i.e., pediatrics, adults, geriatrics). Please use whichever one of the following case studies fits with the developmental age group assigned to you.

Pediatrics

Stacy, an autistic 10-year old, is having difficulty focusing in class. Because of this, she is acting out and throwing tantrums. The teacher is having difficulty keeping Stacy focused and staying calm.

Adults

Ron, a 45-year old plumber, recently had a minor stroke. He is able to use all of his limbs but his right side has deficits. Ron wants and needs to work because he has two kids to support.

Geriatrics

Sheila, a75-year old retiree, recentlywas diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. She is right handed and has tremors consistently. Her favorite activities are to knit and sew. Sheila wants to continue doing her activities.

1. Read the case that corresponds to the developmental age group assigned to you.

2. Relate the case to the domains of the OT Practice Framework.

The five domains of OT practice include the aleas pl-occgBalgn, clie!l!@rs, ptrfqllllance gkjls, performalg gattegs, context and environment. Select one aspect under each of the five domains. Use your own words to describe each item and give examples.

e.9., lf Performance Patterns - Roles were selected the student would write: lf I was to determine what client roles were impacted by his or her disability, I would describe the client's roles as spouse, parent, son or daughter, worker, student, grandparent, etc.

Section 2

List three organizations or community agencies that the client (or parents or caregivers) might find useful. Briefly describe the purpose of each of the three resources you provide.

Organizations that require membership are unacceptable for this assignment (e.9., American OT Association). Please use entities accessible to the general public.

Section 3

Throughout your career, you will answer the following question hundreds of times -- "What is occupational therapy?" This part of the assignment is meant to give you a start on coming up with a definition or description of the profession of Occupational Therapy to help answer that question. lmagine that friends or relatives ask you about Occupational Therapy; what will you tellthem?

End your paper with a written script of a '30 second elevator speech'that defines and/or describes the profession of occupational therapy. This is often called an 'elevator speech' because it must be succinct enough that you could start talking when getting on the elevator with the CEO of your hospital on the first floor and finish your explanation of occupational therapy when the elevator door opens at the third floor!