Unit 1: Theories And Occupational Engagement

There where times Joan, brought me frustration, relief and ominous anticipation for my future career. At first, Joan’s demeanor toward Claudia’s recovery frustrated me. Joan would tell Claudia to use these certain strategies and that what she was actually unable to do. As Claudia became frustrated so did I. My thoughts all circled around the idea that Joan has never lived through a traumatic brain injury, she has no idea what Claudia is going through. It frustrated me that Joan acted as if she understood what Claudia was going through, when in fact she couldn’t even imagine. However after reading more and through out classes it became apparent that Joan’s “tough love” attitude of continuously reminding Claudia to be realistic and making her aware of things that she is not able to do yet was actually helping her to recover and in turn giving her a better quality of life. Although this part relived me, It did make me think about future clients I may

Erikson’s (1968, 1980, 1982) psychosocial stages of development provide a framework for the different stages of development throughout the human lifespan. These stages of development begin at birth and continue until death, and separate the lifespan into eight stages based on chronological age. Within these eight different aging stages are corresponding psychosocial stages. Each of these psychosocial stages represent a conflict between two characteristics of development for that particular time period in a person’s life.

Through the almost 100 years of occupational therapy as a profession, occupational therapy have gone from a profession focused only on the mentally ill patient to a profession that is targeting a broad range of population ranging from the special needs population, to veterans, and people with different diseases and physical disabilities or injuries. It is inspirational to know that this profession started based on the ideology that “even the most challenged are entitled to consideration and human compassion” (O'Brien, 2012). Likewise, it is fascinating that occupational therapy played such an important role in both of the world war as reconstruction aides focusing on rehabbing the soldiers and helping veterans recover during post-war period

The following essay will use a lifespan perspective to discuss how major transitions can influence both occupational and personal development. Using occupation as a coping strategy during stressful transitions will also be explored. The narrative discussed was derived from an informal, semi-structured interview. Occupational development will explore how the meanings associated with occupations can change and how this can be reflective of their current life-stage. The essay will begin with an outline of the precautions taken to maintain the interviewee’s confidentiality. This will be followed by a brief explanation of the lifespan and occupational models that will be used throughout the essay. A summary of the interviewee’s narrative will then be provided. This will be expanded upon by using lifespan theories.

Occupation based interventions benefits the clients but there are various barriers that many occupational therapists face when working in medically-oriented facilities. According to Colaianni and Provident (2010), one of the barriers of (OBI) is the dominance of the biomedical model in health care practice. The mechanistic paradigm that was derived from biomedical model has diverted the professional role of concentrating on health restoring measure to remediation of body functions and impairments. According to Gray (1998), biomedical model cure disease by eliminating symptoms, reducing impairment but occupational therapy results in impairment-based treatment where the impairment and body functions become the intervention outcome. It is difficult within the medical paradigm of care to incorporate health and wellness and to fit occupations such as cooking, playing, and other pleasurable activities, which resulted in the occupational therapist struggling with professional identity.

Occupational therapy has been in the process of continued development since the 1900’s. With several contributors helping to build the groundwork for creating the awareness needed to bring occupational therapy into the field of health care. Continued research is contributing to the ongoing significance of how occupational therapy is a vital aspect in promoting increased independences in all aspects of healthcare. (Willard, Schell, 2014) With the incorporation of “Occupational Therapy Practice Framework Domain and Process (3rd ed.)” helps creates the foundation for occupational therapy clinicians as well as other health care providers in facilitating the core believe of occupational and the relationship of health and occupation. (AOTA 2014) Therefore, providing a uniform outline of the various aspects of each individual and how they are interconnected to create the foundation of each individual. With a greater understanding of the foundations of that induvial, the clinician can then facilitate the best therapeutic treatment plan for that individual to achieve their personal goals with unified foundations of care.

Occupational therapy was founded on the principle that participation in meaningful activity is important to the health of individuals. Mental health is very important to the well-being of an individual and those around them. 450 million people experience mental and neurological disorders around the world. These disorders are the leading 5-10 causes of disability worldwide. As services for individuals with mental illness have shifted from the hospital to the community, there has also been a shift in the philosophy of service delivery. In the past, there was an adherence to the medical model; now the focus is on incorporating the recovery model. (2) Occupational therapy’s focus that taking part in engaging and meaningful activities benefits the mental well-being of the individual.

Jones could vividly recall the collective support and motivation that was accompanied in his recovery by the entirety of his team (Jones, 2015). This presents the role of nursing, as well as the roles of the other health care professionals, is very collaborative and team oriented, as they were never addressed individually. This presentation of their roles was somewhat consistent with my pre-existent idea of what roles they play. An example would be in terms of emotional availability, by acknowledging Jones’ concerns. (Jones, 2015). However, I had never considered the role of nursing, or the other professions as being so largely team oriented or being in direct contact on a daily basis.

James was a farmer, active every day of his life from a very early age. As a child, he helped out with the farm chores and the older her became, was more active in the daily grind of running a farm. His schedule was up before dawn and to bed by 10pm. Over the years of constant movement of his joints, James required a hip repair as the cartilage was nearly destroyed. He was 76 at the time of this first surgery and this is the identified beginning of his progressive aging. James identified himself as the provider in the family and the surgery and ensuing rehab took a hit on his ability to perform at his previous ability. Following his initial surgery, her found himself requiring surgery on the other hip and his lower back. James is seen in the clinic for follow up for evaluation of chronic pain and his functionality in everyday life. He is withdrawn and quiet; answers questions only when asked numerous times. His wife is with him and states he sleeps often throughout the day, moves about very little, and only watches TV. He

At the age of 53, as a member of the growing older population, there has been many occupational changes throughout my life. An individual never realizes how a passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another change the body and mind. Every day is a battle mentally and physically to complete the tasks of the day. Exercise has been a powerful reliever of pain for the body and soul. People face many diverse challenges and changes across the span of a life and occupational therapy can take actions to improve a situation, especially with medical disorders.

Imagine working in an extremely stressful environment in uncomfortable situations. This is something Mason Harbaugh has to deal with every time he goes to work at the hospital. Each person has experiences exclusive to their personal being. Their family relationships, affairs at school, and personal interests are responsible for creating a character different from everyone else. Mason’s family, his life experiences, and his environment contribute to the unique individual he is today.

I believe very strongly that encouragement is a driving force that can allow someone to become any thing that they want. By encouraging the positive skills that an individual has, this can allow them to have pride in those skills and pursue them. If an individual is taking part in occupations that give them meaning, and is encouraged to pursue that meaning, they will have a more worthwhile existence. I also believe that individuals of lower socioeconomic status often do not receive the same encouragement toward independence when compared to those in higher socioeconomic status. The lack of independence in this area is a factor that enables those in a lower socioeconomic status to not persevere a more sustainable and comfortable level. Therefore, as therapists we need to assure the client that a life of independence, in every area, is one that allows for them to have more meaningful occupations. Independence means having more control over what one can do with their life, and as the individual becomes more independent this promotes a greater feeling of self worth and, again, a more meaningful

The three theories I have chosen to discuss are all extremely relevant ideas; although I prefer Erik Erikson’s stage of psychosocial development. Erik Erikson’s theory covers a person’s entire lifespan showing the many different stages throughout one’s life. A person is always

This project required writing a detailed response to a video case study about David DeNotaris, the Director of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, who is affected by the eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa. I was asked to analyzed his life story in theoretical terms, from a developmental perspective, and provide an introspective review of the significant aspects of his cognitive, social, and emotional development. In this paper I also reflected on the power of the psychological resilience that allowed David to have hope and cope with life adversities. In addition, I explained what aspects of David’s philosophy I would want to incorporate in my future counseling practice.

As human beings age, according to Erik Erikson, they go through developmental stages that help to create and transform their personalities. If needs are met and the ego is gratified, then the individual is able to move on to the next challenge. Onward they march in life and in stage until they find the end level: integrity versus despair. This has been categorized as adults 65 years and older by Erikson. Here, people are to reminisce and judge their lives in terms of merit or disappointment. Erikson himself had a lot to comb through in his later years.