During my time in OT school we have two level II fieldwork experiences, similar to internships or clinicals. They are each 12 weeks long. My first fieldwork was last summer at the University of Utah Hospital in Inpatient Rehab working with people with traumatic brain injuries. This was a challenging but amazing experience. I learned so much and loved every minute of being a OT student. I started to feel like a real therapist that was making a difference in people's lives.
For my second fieldwork experience I was in a school district working with children with intellectual, learning, and developmental delays. This ranged from children with simple fine motor delays who needed help with handwriting, to non verbal children in wheelchairs learning how to use switches to communicate.
I spend a lot of time driving around to various schools, working with kids all day. It was a really fun environment.
I just fell in love with all of the kids. They are so sweet and pretty funny :) I will miss seeing them and cheering them on with their amazing progress.
I attended a Assistive Technology conference for a couple of days, learning about communication devices and other very cool stuff.
A few lunch breaks were spent on the swings or sitting in the sun.
Half of my time I was at a school for children with severe disabilities. These kids are amazing and kind and so very smart.
My last day I presented on Mindfulness during an inservice to OTs and PTs. It was a great day and a sad day. I am an OT student no more.
Now that I am finished with my fieldwork, I have 4 weeks to study for the NBCOT, our big scary licensure exam. Then I will be a grown up OT and I can find a job. It's been a long road and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!
