Occupational Therapy Principles and Clinical Skills I

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the opportunity to learn basic skills performed by an Occupational Therapy Assistant. The OT assessment process will be explored. Students will understand the clinical presentation and management of neurological conditions and the appropriate Occupational Therapy interventions. Purposeful activity as a therapeutic intervention will emphasized. Students will understand training in  Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and the use of assistive devices/adaptive equipment to facilitate and encourage safety and increased independence with functioning.  The student will be expected to demonstrate competence in the areas of transfers and handling skills. Lab sessions will provide students with an opportunity to practice therapeutic interventions, remedial exercises and training in the use of compensatory aids/strategies. Effective communication during instruction, cuing and when providing feedback to the client will be expected.