OCTH 632

OCTH 632: Tools for Practice

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of OCTH 620, 622, 624, 626, and 628 or permission of the Chair

Credit Hours: (3)

Provides experience with the tools and materials that people use in their everyday occupations and activities.  Explores the perspective that practical arts, folkcrafts and technologies were originally tools for survival, and presents examples of activities that have been used as therapeutic tools from the inception of the profession to today. Students participate in manual activities that are meaningful to rural people, and construct simple adaptive devices.

 

Detailed Description of Content of the Course

Topics include:

• Therapeutic occupations yesterday and today
• Analyzing, adapting and grading activities
• Folkcrafts (for example; ceramics, mosaics, weaving, needlework)
• Industrial activities (for example; machine sewing, metalwork, woodwork, printing)
• Technology (for example; photography, electrical wiring and therapeutic use of computers)
• Making simple adaptive devices
• Equipping the occupational therapy clinic
• Use and care of hand and power tools
• Shop safety and OSHA standards
• Resources for obtaining free or inexpensive materials for use in therapy

 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Readings will be supplemented by guest presentations from local craftspeople.   Students will participate in, analyze, grade and adapt folkcrafts, industrial and technological activities relevant to rural people of all ages.  Students will use hand and/or power tools to construct simple adaptive devices (for example a one-handed wash mitt or paring board, a switch for a battery-operated toy) from wood, leather, fabric, plastic or metal.

 

Goals and Objectives of the Course

At completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Explain the meaning and dynamics of occupation and activity;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of manual activities to the history and philosophical base of the profession of occupational therapy;
3. Exhibit the ability to analyze tasks for use as intervention;
4. Grade and adapt tools, materials and occupations to reflect the changing needs of the client;
5.  Fabricate simple adaptive devices used to enhance occupational performance;
6. Describe the mechanisms, systems and techniques needed to properly maintain and organize occupational therapy workshops/inventories;
7. Use sound judgment in regard to safety of self and others, and adhere to safety regulations in classroom and laboratory. 

 

Assessment Measures

Participation in manual activities and graded activity analyses will be used to evaluate the outcomes of this course.
 

Other Course Information

 

Review and Approval

February, 2009