Best of Occupational Therapy (03/25/2020)

This week: managing stress, teletherapy x2, fine motor, gross motor, and handwriting activities for kids, plus a brand new podcast for you to enjoy.

Curious What “The BOOT” is?

Here’s the Deal: This is where I bring you the best of the best from the field of OT.

I’ll consume all sorts of wonderful occupational therapy related material, from podcast episodes, to blog posts, YouTube videos, journal articles, social media posts, you name it.  Then I’ll pick a few of my favorites and feature them here for you to enjoy.

Want to get all of this amazing OT content sent right to your inbox? Make sure you sign up!

Let’s find out who gets “The BOOT” this week…

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Stressed Out?

A holistic OT Can Help With That. Read on to find strategies to manage your stress, worry, and fear during this time of uncertainty.

Teletherapy: The New Frontier

Many of us have been quickly pushed into this practice area to maintain continuity in providing therapy services to our clients. With the rapid changes happening every day, its important to stay up-to-date on the teletherapy coverage.

But There’s More Than One Way to Teletherapy

Speaking of teletherapy, it takes two to tango. But more often than not, teletherapy services tend to be provided via synchronous delivery aka, happening at the same time. But utilizing services via asynchronous delivery (i.e. not happening at the same time) might have even larger benefits for our clients and students.

Stuck At Home With Kids?

Here are 50 fine motor activities to do at home compliments of Your Therapy Source.

Still Need More Ideas?

Laura from The OT Butterfly recently created an amazing distance learning program for handwriting and gross motor exercises.

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#doingmypart

Life has been changing over here by the minute. As of last Friday, my state California, went on complete lockdown… though I think they deem it “Safer at Home” not to induce panic. Whatever it is called, it doesn’t matter to me. I am home and I am not going anywhere for the foreseeable future.

Because of this, I’ve been grappling with feeling like I am not doing enough. I am a healthcare worker and thus want to help, yet by being home, I have felt like I am not doing my part.

Ok, woah. Brain stop doing that.

BY STAYING HOME, I am doing enough. I am doing my part and I am doing the best I can.

Join me, by showing our support regardless if we are at home or at work. If you are on social media, snap a selfie from where you are, use the hashtag #doingmypart, and either tag me @ot.4.lyfe or send it to me (DM or sarahot4lyfe@gmail.com) so I can share all of the wonderful people who are doing their part. I will be posting the photos on Thursday 3/26 on Instagram and Facebook.

If you want to hear a little more about my thoughts on COVID-19 and how I have been navigating life over the past few weeks, take a listen to my most recent podcast episode.

I have also joined forces with two other amazing occupational therapists, Brock Cook from the Occupied podcast and Michelle Amussen from Incorporate Mindfulness and together we have launched the OT Roundtable podcast. Our first episode dropped on 3/24/2020 in which we brought on Dr. Jessie Wilson to discuss the occupational implications of COVID-19.

Did you know that Michelle is the original, like OG of OT podcasters? Hear more about her story and her mindful moments on the latest episode of the Occupied Podcast. Even during times of physical distancing, podcasts are a great way to stay connected to our wonderful profession.

Also, if you find that you have some extra time on your hands right now and want to do some continuing education online, check out Medbridge. Sign up with this link and use the promo code: OT4LYFE. You get a 45% discount off your subscription and also show a little love and support to me over here OT 4 Lyfe.

Stay safe, stay positive, and stay home (unless you are an essential worker).

– Sarah