Skip to main content

A 90's Baby

The Era Presentations provided a unique outlook into how Occupational Therapy was needed during different decades, as well as how it evolved. In the 90's, technology was booming and many of the sources of entertainment came from from video games, personal computers, and cell phones. Music and TV were also huge influencers coming off the 80's on young adults and teens. One of the most valuable lessons I've learned thus far is that OT's must be able to adapt. So, its no surprise that therapy sessions began incorporating technology into treatment.
In addition, the development of personal computers also led to seminars and research publishing sites for further development in education and resources for practitioners and students.
Furthermore, the 90's was a time of intense education reform. Tests were becoming more standardized and centered around prepping for college. For OT's in the school setting, I'm sure there was an increase in the overall need, as well as an increase in pressure that was placed on the progression and performance of the students.
Lastly, the 90's served as a time for advancement in legislation regarding individuals with disabilities and education. The American with Disabilities Act, as well as the IDE,  prohibited discrimination and ultimately increased access to basic public facilities. The IDEA actually brought more OT's into the school setting! This was an incredible reminder of the importance legislation has on our future as OT Practitioners.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Implicit Bias

Implicit bias is the way we see or stereotype groups of people without even realizing. Implicit bias is a result of years of being taught to look at things or people in a certain way. After time, these ideas become so embedded into our thought process, we don't stop to think twice about the situation or person as an individual. As occupational therapists, we have a responsibility to look at our clients holistically. If we were to go into an evaluation with our own preconceived notions, we would miss out on the beauty of what makes our client unique and motivated. Most importantly, as (future) practitioners, we may not hear or understand the actual needs or beliefs of our client. So, how do we catch ourselves in implicit bias? A few ways we can examine and take initiative against our own bias is by active listening. Taking time to hear a client and truly work towards understanding their point of view will help in decreasing the formation of our own. With active listening, there ...

Neuro Note 4: Parkinson’s Disease

 Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurological disorder that causes shaking, stiffness, and problems with coordination.  Here are some of the quick facts:  Parkinson’s Disease affects more men than women  One of the main risk factors includes an increase in age, especially the ages of 60 and above  Occurs when the neurons responsible for movement die or become impaired  There is no cure, however, medications, surgery, and/or therapies can be beneficial for symptoms  Parkinson’s Disease results in trouble producing neurotransmitters such as Dopamine and Norepinephrine  Now that we have covered the basics, here are 10 extra resources available to learn more about Parkinson’s Disease: For a brief overview of the disease, and to gain basic knowledge, click here:  https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/parkinsons-disease Click here to learn more about the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s:  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkin...