The Day I Started Observing OT

          The day I started observing OT changed my life for the better. It was everything I ever dreamed it would be. Playing with cute children. Helping them reach new levels of learning that everyone else thought was impossible for them. Learning about new things everyday whether it is something new with the child or a different disability that they might have. I would and could do it every day of my life.
          Observing OT in a preschool setting is pretty amazing. First, I miss the preschool setting very much. I miss the wide open spaces in preschool buildings where everywhere you turn there is a child there. I miss how nice the teachers and every adult is to the children. I love how the OTs had their little spaces where they could take the children away and out of the classroom to work with them. They had their little office for fine motor skills and to work on their own papers. Then they have this big "gym" with a lot of gross motor things in it like a basketball goal with weighted balls, ball pit, different kinds of swings, and more little things like a rocking horse.
           I got to see 3 other OTs besides the one I was observing work with different children so there was 4 OTs total yet the "gym" was big enough for everyone. I won't take the job lightly because when it involves a child's life you never do but it seemed so easy. I will say though the classes you have to take before grad school and in grad school don't look too easy at all. My eyes were really opened on some of the reasons why I have to take the classes that I do which are mostly science and math classes. My OT explained to me a lot of the muscle tone and strength that the children didn't have or wasn't using like they should be at the age they were.
           We had one little girl that her muscle was growing faster then the outer part of her body. I learned about two new disabilities and then worked with some children with autism and just behavioral development problems. My OT also showed me some of the paper work that she does and explained how they get goals and programs set up for the children and they have a year to improve on their goals and hopefully pass them. All the OTs explained what it was like to be an OT like the hours you get and the things you have to do in college. Most of them had to observe and get certain hours before and while in college too so this isn't a new thing.
            My OT also advised me to at least observe one place where there was adult OT involved even though I know I want to work with children because colleges have you work with each one for a certain amount of time for an internship. I have to look at that now but it will be interested because my grandparents have been through some OT or it probably could have helped them along with PT if they were.
            My heart is really set on doing OT now and there is nothing that can change that. That is my new dream. I want to help children like I got helped in my childhood even though it was mainly with speech. It is a kind of therapy that goes hand in hand. I remember people setting up plans for me and helping me get to my goals and that is where I'm going next. I'm going to a public school where the OT helps K-12 grade to see what it is like. If you can't tell, I just like learning new things all the time. I can't just stick with the same old routine time after time.