Krystal Geeson
Staff Writer
The Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) kicked off April by celebrating Occupational Therapy Month.
“Our main focus is to increase awareness of what occupational therapy is in the community, because not a lot of people know about it. We try to gain different experiences, such as listening to guest speakers or [holding] trainings,” said Anna Alexander, Treasurer of SOTA. “We are able to invite community occupational therapists in to participate, as well as increase our education.”
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association website, “Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations).”
Kirsten Bullington, American Occupational Therapy Association student delegate, left on March 31 for Baltimore AOTA’s Annual Conference and Expo.
This conference gives Bullington and others the chance to learn more about the profession, network, experience leadership and attend lectures.
“We have around five students in their third year [of the program] that have actually submitted research and will be presenting at the conference next week,” said Bullington. “It is the biggest group that has ever gone from ISU.”
Three faculty members from ISU will also be in attendance at this conference.
To continue celebrating Occupational Therapy Month, SOTA will take the opportunity to participate in a service project at the local food bank on April 19.
“[It is] an opportunity to spread knowledge about occupational therapy as well as give back to the community,” said Laura Nystrom, vice president of the club.
Last semester the association held a backpack awareness event at ISU.
They showed people of all ages how to avoid pain and injury that can be caused by heavy backpacks and bags.
Tealynn Cooper, Idaho Occupational Therapy Association delegate said that the SOTA is optional to join for those in the program, but it is highly encouraged.
According to the AOTA website, an occupational therapist is vital to people throughout their life, whether it be a child with a disability or an older adult staying independent.
“Occupational therapists work in any type of setting. We work in school districts with children, we work in hospitals, we work with early intervention,” said Bullington. “An occupational therapist teams up with you and other health care professionals in the process of rehabilitating to get you back to being at 100 percent or as close to as possible.”
Students in the occupational therapy program have the chance to gain real life experience.
Burn centers, schools, elderly homes and hospitals are just a few of the locations in which occupational therapists are needed, and where many students gain practical experience.
In 2017, the AOTA and the profession of occupational therapy will turn 100.
“We envision that occupational therapy is a powerful, widely recognized science-driven and evidence-based profession, with a globally connected and diverse workforce meeting society’s occupational needs,” said Ashley Kenney, secretary of the club.
