Occupational Therapy Presentation Study Guide

I interviewed Christa Easwara. . .

I got in touch with through my mother.

Easwara actually works for the same school district as my mother. . .

Which is called Cambrian School District in San Jose, California.

Easwara works with a variety of ages, from kindergarten to eighth grade. These kids have a variety of needs, spanning from:

• Being unable to sit in a chair. 

• Having trouble holding a pencil properly and struggling with letter formation. 

• Troubles with speech and reading.

Easwara specializes in:

• Pediatrics 

• Assistive technology (Functional Movement Specialists)

Functional Movement Specialists. . .

Identify and analyze incorrect movement patterns, aid in reducing injury and in improving performance in day to day life.

Education Path (starting point)

• Started her college education at Deanza Community College. 

• Enrolled in a massage therapy program.

Education Path (End point)

Transferred and attended San Jose State University, where she participated in the occupational therapy program to get her master’s.

Typical Work Day

As an occupational therapist in the school system, every day is different.

Easwara has

Roughy 32 kids in her caseload, and sees each one once a week. Easwara sees about 5-6 kids a day.

Assessments are evaluations. . .

That are used to determine eligibility for personalized plans to help achieve educational goals– these plans are known as an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). 

Easwara works in a multidisciplinary team. . .

A group of professionals that work together with students who have an IEP or are in special-ed programs. Once an IEP is set in place, goals are made based in the areas where the student struggles the most. 

There are three criteria for an IEP, but only one needs to be met;

Documented disability, impact on academics and education, and need for a plan. 

Based on the learner, these goals are focused on. . .

Academics, occupational therapy, speech work, or a combination of any of the three.

Within the school year, there are three separate meetings to update goals. . .

These meetings keep data on the kids and track their progress. 

Every three years. . .

Another assessment is given to evaluate what progress has been made. 

Most rewarding thing about being an Occupational Therapist:

“The most rewarding thing about being an occupational therapist is working with the kids. It is such a joy to see them accomplish something they never thought they would be able to do”. 

This school year, Easwara has been working with a student with Down syndrome. A couple of months ago, they were working on writing her name, with the goal being to write in all uppercase letters. . .

Instead of writing her name in all uppercase letters, the student was able to write her name in both uppercase and lowercase. In Easwara’s words, “The look on her face was pure joy, and I was so happy to have helped her learn how to do this skill”.

Advice for the future:

“Explore all your options within the career. You should take the time to figure out what is best for you in a profession and to not be set on one thing that may not be the best fit”.

Advice for the future (2):

“Observing the professionals in action is very important before making your decision”.