OT Observation

Prior to starting OT school, I completed many hours of observation and one session specifically stood out to me. I was volunteering at a pediatric clinic and had the privilege of sitting in on a session with a young boy who must have been in about 2nd grade. At the beginning of the session, I went with the occupational therapist to the waiting room to meet with the boy and his father. When the OT asked the father how their week had been and whether there was anything new coming up, the father explained that they had been struggling with some emotional outbreaks at home. For example, when the boy was not allowed to play on his iPad he would yell "I hate you" and kick and scream. The boy's father explained that this hurt his feelings and he would really like it if we could practice different ways to handle this situation. I remember being so impressed by the way the OT responded to the father and so seamlessly worked his concern into the session which she already had planned. 

She picked out a book from the bookshelf and asked the boy to read it with her. The book was about emotions, how different situations make different people feel, and ways in which one can react. After discussing the book, she pulled out a piece of paper and wrote "When I feel mad, I can..." and proceeded to ask the little boy what are things that he enjoys to do (besides playing on his iPad) or that makes him feel calm. They made a numbered list of activities or actions that this boy could do when he begins to feel angry instead of hurting his father's feelings. The list included bouncing on the trampoline, spending some time alone, playing with his dog, and so on. At the end of the session, the OT and the boy brought this list out to his father and talked about how they could potentially put this list up on the fridge incase he were to need a reminder.

The OT was very purposeful and clear in her intentions. She listened carefully to the family's concerns. She demonstrated client-centered practice and shared decision making. At the time, I was impressed by the discussion of emotional regulation because until then, I did not have much of an understanding of the place of emotional regulation in the scope of OT. I am looking forward to learning more about this, specifically in our pediatrics course.