Can I just say that sometimes, it feels so good to be an OT? Today I got to run my own group, ALONE, with no instruction but a handout. This may not sound like a big deal to some of you, but this group has 11 patients with all levels of cognitive functioning. Pretty huge!
The OT's at the State Hospital focus on a sensory approach to help patients regulate their roller-coaster emotions in a multidisciplinary group (consisting of psychiatrists, social workers, rec therapists, psych nurses, and occupational therapists) called Dialectical Behavior Therapy. This week, we have been learning about Vestibular (balance system) and Proprioception (awareness of body in space). This system, often ignored, plays a large roll in influencing mood (excitement or calming), the ability to think and spatial memory.
During OT today, we were able to experience this sense first-hand. From passing balls of different weights (balloons, beach ball, pilates ball, medicine ball), to balance board, to hula-hooping, to swinging, they had a chance to analyze how these activities involve vestibular/proprioceptive systems and how they could use this in their everyday lives to de-escalate or change their mood.
Overall, I had great feedback from this group! A few older/physically impaired peeps preferred the classroom setting, but many thought it was a nice change and felt pleasant when they left the group. :D
Now, to document.... *sigh*
Proprioceptors are very important for playing golf as one must perceive where in space the club is so it can be used to hit the ball. Unfortunately, the emotional results of playing golf are inconsistent, and range from "total elation" to "violent rage."
ReplyDeleteLOL! Thanks for the comments Andrew, I love comments. :) This one is pretty awesome.
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