Occupational Therapy for Life

Summer class teaches students, serves community

Learning in the School of Health Professions occupational therapy program takes on new meaning every summer as senior OT students survey program needs for people with disabilities or who care for people with disabilities in Columbia and, in seven short weeks, deliver those opportunities to the public. From teaching golf to people with visual impairments to a special water activity event for kids with disabilities, the 2010 edition of the OT Community Assessment class brought cheers and requests for more.

Photos by Giuli Krug
OT students guided participants’ hands to help them experience the feel of working with clay at the Joining Hands crafts for adults with disabilities event.
(Front: Everybody, including the OT students, got wet at the Splashin’ at Stephens event.)

After surveying to learn what type of programming might help fill a niche in the community, the OT students divide into groups to design, develop, market and stage their events.

“The students learn how OT fits into the community outside the confines of a clinic. This helps them to see the bigger picture of meaningful activity in everyday life,” says Giuli Krug, the clinical assistant professor who teaches the class. “They also learn about wellness, prevention and advocacy in a very real way.  This class takes on a service learning feel, where they are actually giving to others while they learn more about occupational therapy - it is very client-centered, which is essential to OT. ”

Programs offered this summer were:

• Splashin’ at Stephens - a water park activity outing for kids with disabilities 
• ADApted Golf – golf for people with visual impairments
• Upbeat – An exercise class for adults with disabilities
• Your Turn – A stress management class for parents and caregivers of kids with disabilities
• Joining Hands – A ceramics and clay art class for adults with disabilities

Krug says the class helps fill gaps in community service and since the activities are free, they remain accessible to all. Over the course of four years of teaching the class, Krug says the compliments she’s heard about the OT students have been many.

“Probably the biggest compliment is that many participants request that the projects continue ,” Krug says. “They are only intended to be one-time activities, so that tells me that the participants benefitted and the project or program was a success. I am always really impressed by the students' work and incredibly proud of them. It's my first glimpse of the amazing OT professionals they will become!”

— Cheri Ghan