new to ot

[jka252]

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hi everyone,

i just recently became interested in the field of occupational therapy and am considering it for grad school in the future. i was wondering if anyone could recommend some helpful links about ot or ways i can start shadowing/volunteering with a real ot? especially those in the nyc area (where i live) - where did you guys volunteer? it would be appreciative. thanks!

 

[Taylor619]

Hi jka,
I can only speak from my own experience, but I will share things I think may assist you.
For general information about OT you can look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupational_therapy
If there is a specific field you're interested in (or think you may be) you can always check out videos on youtube! If you're more of a visual learner, here is a fun, cheesy video that may answer a little of your questions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89z9jIzq5wk
This is a very informative site that you will get well acquainted with: http://www.aota.org/
Here is the OT association for your state: http://www.nysota.org/

There is no one correct approach to start shadowing (at least for me there wasn't). You just have to get in there, start cold-calling around your area and networking. Be polite and professional. You can start with hospitals (I am volunteering w/the VA here), nursing homes, rehabilitation clinics, child development centers/pediatrics, home health, private clinics, and so on. A google search will turn up many, I'm sure!
Another approach that I took was contacting the regional chair of the ot association here in Texas. I contacted her and she was very helpful in getting me set up with who I needed to speak with at the time. You can go to conferences and seminars in your area as well. You are not limited on the things you can do to gain more knowledge! Hope this helped and good luck to you!

 

[eagle88]

just go through the phonebook and look at rehab places. you want to shadow with more than one population such as geriatrics, pediatrics, developmental disabilities, mental health. all sorts.

 

[jka252]

thank you guys for the advice! i will definitely check it out!