Mainstream Media and Misconceptions about OT
Since being accepted into occupational therapy school, I have become increasingly aware of the misconceptions that many people have about the field of occupational therapy. In all honesty, I am still learning new ideas and concepts about the field each day ever since starting OT school. I am consistently realizing that the media, as well as preconceived notions, often lead people to an incorrect view of what occupational therapy is, including the settings we work in, the people we work with, and the benefits that can come from occupational therapy for a variety of clients. Because of this, I want to be more aware of common misconceptions of what people think that OT is, and work to combat those in my own life by being well informed on the various aspects of my field. I believe that by reading a variety of articles, I can see both sides of what others might be reading, and be a stronger and more knowledgeable practitioner.
Recently, I was reading an article in the Washingtonian entitled "Should You Send Your Kids to Occupational Therapy?" This particular article was published in February 2016 in the "Parenting" section of the News website, and is meant to be a writer's opinion on whether or not the trend in Washington of sending children to occupational therapy is valid. I found the article to be interesting, although very misguided. While the article does discuss a quick view of the history of occupational therapy and includes quotes from a couple of occupational therapists, it provides a skewed and incomplete view of occupational therapy as a field. The article focuses on occupational therapy in pediatrics, which is interesting to me as I think it is the field that I would like to pursue. However, what it says in this article is largely incorrect and appears to be merely a recording of the experience of a few parents rather than a reflection of the field as a whole. The conclusions that the article comes to are that occupational therapists are a costly way for worrying parents to try to fix their children's problems which may or may not exist. It even goes so far as to say that occupational therapy has little in the way of a scientific basis or any evidence for its effectiveness, and that occupational therapists themselves are merely "personal trainers for kids." Lastly, the article concludes that parents are often guilted into falling into the "sales pitch" of an occupational therapist so that they can feel like they are doing something positive for their children, when there may be nothing wrong.
The things in this article could not be further from the truth when it comes to occupational therapy as a profession. Though pediatrics is a huge part of what occupational therapists do, there are also several other specialties that occupational therapists take part in. And within pediatrics, OT practitioners work with clients with a variety of backgrounds who may be seeking therapy for many different reasons. Occupational therapy, as a field, is based on evidence-based practices and a scientific basis for interventions that practitioners perform, so there has been a great deal of research done on many aspects of OT treatments. It should be the goal of all occupational therapists that they not only accurately assess any clients, but also that they provide both them and their caregivers with the most valid information possible for them to make a decision regarding therapy. It is therefore untrue that occupational therapists are actively working to "sell" their field to those who would not benefit from such activities. Instead, it is the goal of occupational therapists, whether in pediatrics or other fields, to help all of their clients engage in activities that give their lives meaning, and to help them live their lives to the fullest.
Recently, I was reading an article in the Washingtonian entitled "Should You Send Your Kids to Occupational Therapy?" This particular article was published in February 2016 in the "Parenting" section of the News website, and is meant to be a writer's opinion on whether or not the trend in Washington of sending children to occupational therapy is valid. I found the article to be interesting, although very misguided. While the article does discuss a quick view of the history of occupational therapy and includes quotes from a couple of occupational therapists, it provides a skewed and incomplete view of occupational therapy as a field. The article focuses on occupational therapy in pediatrics, which is interesting to me as I think it is the field that I would like to pursue. However, what it says in this article is largely incorrect and appears to be merely a recording of the experience of a few parents rather than a reflection of the field as a whole. The conclusions that the article comes to are that occupational therapists are a costly way for worrying parents to try to fix their children's problems which may or may not exist. It even goes so far as to say that occupational therapy has little in the way of a scientific basis or any evidence for its effectiveness, and that occupational therapists themselves are merely "personal trainers for kids." Lastly, the article concludes that parents are often guilted into falling into the "sales pitch" of an occupational therapist so that they can feel like they are doing something positive for their children, when there may be nothing wrong.
The things in this article could not be further from the truth when it comes to occupational therapy as a profession. Though pediatrics is a huge part of what occupational therapists do, there are also several other specialties that occupational therapists take part in. And within pediatrics, OT practitioners work with clients with a variety of backgrounds who may be seeking therapy for many different reasons. Occupational therapy, as a field, is based on evidence-based practices and a scientific basis for interventions that practitioners perform, so there has been a great deal of research done on many aspects of OT treatments. It should be the goal of all occupational therapists that they not only accurately assess any clients, but also that they provide both them and their caregivers with the most valid information possible for them to make a decision regarding therapy. It is therefore untrue that occupational therapists are actively working to "sell" their field to those who would not benefit from such activities. Instead, it is the goal of occupational therapists, whether in pediatrics or other fields, to help all of their clients engage in activities that give their lives meaning, and to help them live their lives to the fullest.
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