Week 5

This week was great as usual. Exhausting, but fun. I definitely had more opportunity to consider addressing psychosocial factors that influence engagement in occupation for my students.  Many of my students, specifically the ones with Autism, had aversions or combative behavior that influenced the treatment session I had originally planned. I took these moments and circumstances to think on my feet and practice grading activities or being flexible in my approach. I had to utilize preferred activities several times in order to engage and motivate them. This is beneficial to understand when working with children with disabilities. I address feeding with a young boy in the medical fragile unit, and he is able to hold the spoon and place in his mouth if it something that he likes to eat. However, if it is not something he likes he refuses to eat. Everyone gets frustrated by this, but I feel as though this is crucial towards supporting his interests and therapeutic use of self. He is non-responsive, so he is unable to do a lot on his own, and I am a firm believer that if he has control over one area of his life (feeding) than so be it. It is my role to support that as long as he is getting adequate nutrition.

Now heading South to Naples to celebrate Vonda's (another classmate) birthday, the Derby, and Cinco de Mayo! More updates to come later this weekend. :)

Blessings,
B