We are giving you an inside glimpse to the world of an Occupational Therapy through the eyes of our own therapists throughout the month of April to celebrate Occupational Therapy Month. Today we sat down with our newest OT, Emily Sandish.
- What do you
like most about being an OT?
Working with children and families and making a difference
in their lives. The most rewarding part of our job is seeing a child achieve
something they struggled with before.
- What made you decide to become an
OT?
I became an OT because I have always loved working with kids
with disabilities and helping them in small ways, even something as simple as
learning to tie their shoes by themselves. I love the variety of areas we can
address and the opportunities to make our treatment creative and fun!
- What is an OT topic you are
passionate about and why?
I am passionate about children’s mental health because I
believe that mental health is as important as physical health, but is often
forgotten. Children with disabilities are at a higher risk of being bullied and
therefore, at greater risk for mental health concerns. As occupational
therapists, I feel we should tune in to the feelings, likes, dislikes, etc. of
the children and families we serve. OTs began in the area of mental health and
I think incorporating this into our daily treatment makes us more effective and
holistic clinicians.
- What kinds of school or educational
problems might be treated by an OT?
Occupational therapists who work in the educational
environment address a variety of areas including handwriting, sensory
processing, self-care, mental health, attention to task, and self-regulation
just to name a few.
- What advice do you have for
parents who are seeking an OT evaluation?
My advice would be to first research or ask an OT what areas
we address. Our career is often misunderstood so in order to better serve
families and their children, parents should have a general sense of what we can
work on and determine if OT is the appropriate course of action. Secondly,
after an understanding has been reached, parents might have a better idea of
what information to convey when requesting a screening or evaluation. The more
information parents can provide the better! Parents are the best source of
information and can provide valuable insight into their child that a screening
or standardized test may not capture.
- What is your
favorite smartphone app for clients?
For younger children (preschool age), I love the app called Letter School.
It allows kids to practice letter formation in a fun and engaging way rather
than simple pencil and paper.
- What are ways you make therapy
fun for your clients?
Really tune in to what children like and dislike and give
them the power of choice. Doing so empowers and motivates children and makes
therapy more fun and not “work”.
Find out more about the OT services we offer at all THREE office locations!
Labels: Behind the Scenes
