Occupational Therapy - Key Concepts and Perspectives

Objectives

  • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in OT: Describe the embodiment of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the occupational therapy profession.

  • Personal Experiences: Listen to others’ personal experiences, representation, and perspectives to develop awareness of issues surrounding inclusion in OT practice.

  • Support and Empowerment: Identify areas where OT practitioners can support and empower others.

  • Critical Reflection: Critically reflect on one’s implicit biases and create personal action steps to support inclusion within the OT profession.

Key Terms

  • Art of Therapy: The practice of occupational therapy as a helping profession that facilitates healing and recovery.

  • Biopsychosocial: A holistic approach that combines biological, psychological, and social perspectives on health.

  • Cultural Humility: Recognizing and respecting cultural differences, remaining open to learning about other cultures.

  • Cultural Reflexivity: Reflecting on one’s own cultural biases and how they affect interactions with clients.

  • Disability Identity: Understanding and embracing one's identity as a person with a disability.

  • Diversity: Inclusion of different types of people, encompassing various backgrounds and experiences.

  • Equity: Fair treatment, opportunities, and advancement while striving to identify and eliminate barriers.

  • Generational Trauma: Emotional and psychological effects inherited from trauma experienced by previous generations.

  • Generational Wisdom: Knowledge and skills passed down through generations that can aid in current challenges.

  • Health: A state of overall well-being beyond mere absence of disease.

  • Implicit Bias: Attitudes or stereotypes that affect understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.

  • Inclusion: The practice of ensuring that all individuals have equal access to opportunities and resources.

  • Justice: The pursuit of fairness and accountability in healthcare practices.

  • Occupational Justice: The right of individuals to engage in meaningful occupations.

  • Quality of Life: The general well-being of individuals and societies, outlining negative and positive features of life.

Advice from Practitioners

  • Kori Limoges (MSOT, Class 2023): "Do not normalize what you know is unacceptable."

  • River Gmur: Emphasizes the importance of owning one’s challenges and learning needs in pursuing an OT career. Encourages trust in instructors and support systems.

  • John S. Luna (OTR, OTD): Sees OT as a unique helping profession that aids diverse populations across the lifespan, offering profound opportunities for meaningful change.

  • Tzvi Schwartz (MSOT OTR/L): Advocates for taking chances within the OT field, emphasizing the importance of perseverance through graduate school challenges.

  • Chanae’ Jones (MOTR/L): Finds fulfillment in helping others through OT and encourages those passionate about helping to pursue the profession.

  • Alex Jackson (MA): Credits OT professionals with aiding his educational and career advancements, stressing the significance of OT in advocating for individuals with disabilities.

  • Brenda Parent (BS): Reflects on the personal journey of needing OT again as independence diminishes with age, emphasizing the role of OT in maintaining quality of life.

  • Bill Wong (OTD, OTR/L): Shares a personal journey towards becoming a faculty member within OT academia, highlighting supportive networks throughout his career.

  • Lexie Batman (OTR/L): Advocates for the inclusion of practitioners with disabilities in the OT profession, citing the unique insights disabled therapists can bring.

  • Krysta Rives (EdD, MBA, COTA/L): Encourages the promotion and education of OTAs to bridge gaps in recognition and involvement in the profession.

Concepts of Leadership and Quality of Life

  • Joseph Wells: Defines leadership as serving team interests to achieve greater outcomes collectively.

  • Quality of Life Definition (WHO, 2006): "A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease."

  • Occupational Justice: Emphasizes the right for individuals to engage in and benefit from occupational therapy practices.

Cultural Perspectives and Generational Issues

  • Maggie Conners Deforge (OTD, OTR/L): Raises awareness about generational trauma faced by Indigenous peoples and emphasizes the importance of cultural humility in the OT profession.

  • Michelle Atanu (OTR): Encourages professionals to give back to the OT field by engaging in advocacy efforts and service.

  • Faith and Courage (Erin Richardson & Sherie Wallace): Discusses the importance of faith and courage in combating the adversities faced as individuals within historically marginalized communities.

  • Sandy Hanebrink (OTR/L): Challenges the stigma around the term 'disabled,' asserting that disability is a valid identity and part of a cultural narrative.

Commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

  • Stephanie Lancaster (EdD, OTR/L): Stresses the personal responsibility of OT practitioners to be allies and advocates for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, engaging in dialogues that promote awareness and change.

  • Listening as a Tool for Inclusion: Emphasizes the necessity of truly listening to diverse voices within the OT profession to foster understanding and support.

  • Composition of the OT Workforce: Highlights the lack of diversity, predominantly comprised of white cisgender women, and advocates for broader representation to create a more inclusive practice.

Summary

  • The discussions and shared experiences reveal feelings of mistrust, exclusion, and biases within the OT profession. However, there is a shared commitment among practitioners to advocate for empowerment, inclusion, advocacy, and a transformative future for the OT field.