Occupational Therapy Reflective Essay

My initial impression of the profession was that this was a career that assisted individuals with ADL’S. As a CNA, I occasionally interacted with the OT practitioners at my place of employment and I assisted some of them with helping patients engage in activities such as dressing, bathing, and feeding. As a CNA, I assist patients with these things as well and it generated an interest in the OT profession. Initially, my beliefs and understanding of the profession was centered around the physical activities that can be performed in an occupational setting included but not limited to, the amount of weight that can be lifted, the type of movement a patient can perform comfortably, the part of the body that is used more often, and how much walking or lifting that can be exerted. These were my exact thoughts of my impression while completing the occupational profile in my first writing class of the program. After the completion of the assignment, I received feedback from the instructor and learned that I was incorrect in my thinking. I learned that occupational therapy is not just about physical limitations, strength and endurance, but more about a client centered approach indicative of adaptations and interventions. An OT practitioner can assist clients in returning to an independent level of functioning by creating and developing activities that are meaningful to them. According to AOTA (2011) “The practice of occupational therapy means the therapeutic use of

I often noticed the activities the physical and occupational therapy practitioners performed with clients such as, walking and ROM exercises and I honestly assumed that this is what occupational therapy was all about; helping patients build up strength to perform everyday activities. At the time, I was unaware of how superficial I was in my thinking and that there was more behind than what I saw on the