S26 is interested in being an OT, and plans to apply to some “early assurance” programs where students earn a bachelor and master’s or doctorate degree in a shortened period of time.
Because he wants to be sure OT is for him, before applying, and because he heard it can be helpful in the application process, he’s already done some observations of OT’s, and volunteered as a counselor at an OT camp this past summer, and plans to do so again this coming summer.
However, we just found this on the website of one school:
Supplemental Requirements:
Required interview with Division of Occupational Therapy faculty
a minimum of 10 hours of observation under a licensed occupational therapist is recommended (not required) before the on-campus interview
If a student qualifies to be considered for the Early Assurance Pathway option, they will be notified via email how to register for the required interview and how to submit the required supplemental documentation.
Students are strongly encouraged to apply and submit their application materials prior to completing any supplemental requirements.
I am concerned about the last part. Does this mean that observation hours he collects now don’t count? That they all need to be done between the time he submits the Common app, or the school’s application, and the interview?
He plays a varsity sport in the fall, so it would be nice to get the observations done early.
Or do they just mean, don’t ask for an interview or try to send us documents before you finish the application?
I know nothing about OT, but my interpretation is: first he applies, then they determine if he is qualified for early assurance program. If yes, he will get a notice to register for an interview. Anytime before that interview, they recommend that he does 10 hours of observation under a licensed OT. If his previous time was with a licensed OT, he should be able to include those hours. The summer camp may or may not count depending on whether a licensed OT was involved.
My sister is an OT. She didn’t know she was going to have a career in OT until she had taken a couple of classes at USC.
She knew that a large majority of her clientele would be in pediatrics. I don’t think she expected what she got later.
She loves her job, but there are a lot of surprises from her clients. She has been kicked, hit and bitten by patients with severe disabilities. Her hair has been pulled, items have been broken, her colleagues have been attacked and she’s had to restrain clients attacking other clients or staff.
I worked as a Speech Pathologist for over 35 years and I’ve had the same kinds of clients. I was thrown across a room by a student who was twice my weight and height because I had an observer (supervisor) in the room. I put myself between him and his mother to protect his mother. He later told his mother that he didn’t want any other person in the room. She explained that she had never seen him do this.
Prior to all of this, I had taken out personal insurance that is available to PTs, OT’s, and Speech Pathologists and I recommended this to my sister.
So my question to you and your child is, are you both aware that some medical conditions can exhibit violent behaviors? These patients have occupational therapy goals.
I don’t know if my colleagues on here can also relay similar experiences:
(@thumper1, @twogirls)similar to mine and my sister’s, as well as my colleagues, but that’s something you need to consider. Fortunately for us (me/sister), we grew up in the Barrio, and have some defensive tactics, but we also know how to de-escalate situations. Also, in every different job that I had, we were required to take defensive training and safe restraint training.
I’m a special educator who has worked with emotional disturbance and severe/profound. I’ve also been the person who is certified in and leads the restraint training at my job for a number of years.
So, he does know what he’s potentially getting into.
I experienced the same, as have my colleagues. In years past I have had chairs (and other things) thrown at me and had an aide block a punch. I have dealt with saliva and phlegm. I once had a student who had a hit list, and one of my colleagues was thrown through a glass window. In years past my colleagues have been black and blue from head to toe.
I agree with the interpretation of shadowing hours noted above.
Just adding my two cents worth. I also had some very difficult students who were physically aggressive. I don’t know anyone who works in a therapy or teaching capacity who hasn’t had this type of experience at least once.
Definitely shadow…and I would suggest in multiple settings. As an OT, this kid will be required to do several mandatory rotations as part of their degree program…and usually these are in different settings…like a school, private clinic, skilled care facility. Your kid wants to see what this career is like in all of those settings.