by Howard Gerber on May 31, 2018
As a school-based occupational therapist, you may treat children with various conditions including oppositional defiant disorder. Most children occasionally test boundaries. Teens may become a little rebellious. Toddlers might frequently say no to a caregiver and do what they want. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is different.
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, it is estimated that one to sixteen percent of school-age children have oppositional defiant disorder. Since not all children are diagnosed, it is difficult to determine an exact percentage.
The cause of oppositional defiant disorder is not fully understood. Children with the disorder often have signs of the condition from an early age. [continue reading…]
by Howard Gerber on April 19, 2018
For students considering a career as an occupational therapist, shadowing is one of the best ways to get an idea of what an OT does. Along with shadowing in settings, such as a hospital or clinic, it’s also beneficial to see OTs at work in other areas. Shadowing a school-based occupational therapist is one option to consider. [continue reading…]
by Howard Gerber on April 5, 2018
School-based speech therapists work with children will various types of conditions, such as down syndrome, autism, and cleft-palates. Although it might not be as common, school speech therapists also treat children who have had traumatic brain injuries (TBI). According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, about 18% of speech therapists who work in a school setting treat children with traumatic brain injuries.
Traumatic brain injuries in children may result from car accidents, falls, and sports-related injuries. Non-accidental brain injuries from abuse can also occur in children. Depending on the extent of the injury, children may have cognitive, physical, and speech impairments. [continue reading…]
by Howard Gerber on March 22, 2018
Occupational therapy is beneficial at any age, especially during the teenage years. Teens are transitioning into adulthood and hopefully moving towards more independence. Occupational therapy can help adolescents learn ways to deal with academic and social challenges they may face due to their disability. [continue reading…]
by Howard Gerber on February 15, 2018
If you work as a school-based occupational therapist, you are probably no stranger to writing reports. One of the most important reports you create is the student’s individualized educational program (IEP). The IEP goals guide the school-based team and are critical to the work you do with your students. Good goal writing helps you stay focused and may help your students reach their potential. [continue reading…]
by Howard Gerber on January 25, 2018
During physical therapy school, you learned a lot. You know all about anatomy, human development, and therapeutic modalities. You probably also learned the importance of motivating your students, working well with teachers, and juggling the responsibilities of the job.
[continue reading…]
by Howard Gerber on December 28, 2017
Physical therapists often start their career working in a hospital or nursing home. Another career option is working as a school-based therapist with children. If you have not worked as a school-based physical therapist, you might not be sure what to expect. Separating the misconceptions from facts can help you decide if school-based therapy is right for you. [continue reading…]
As a school-based occupational therapist, you may treat children with various conditions including oppositional defiant disorder. Most children occasionally test boundaries. Teens may become a little rebellious. Toddlers might frequently say no to a caregiver and do what they want. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is different.
