Career Analysis: Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Career Analysis: Pediatric Occupational Therapist I have hopes of becoming a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, after I further my education. Pediatric Occupational Therapists treat and help infants, children, and teens, born with physical disabilities or recovering from an injury. It is important to develop or acquire open communication with parents and children in this career. Additionally, you need to have patience with those who have disabilities and in doing repetitive treatments. Occupational Therapists (O.T.s) need to have a respect and understanding for their patients’ struggles and pace. I feel these traits are well suited for me in this career because I have been developing these skills and characteristics since I first started

My hardiness will drive me to face each patient’s need with the stability and strength I need. This career will allow me personal happiness and to utilize skills I already have or want to gain. I have worked with children since I was 17, and have a personal connection to children with disabilities. My nephew has cerebral palsy and his daily struggles touch my heart. Helping him do ordinary tasks gives me a profound fulfillment and joy. I have a lot of self-efficacy in my values and skill relating to this career path. I will continue to build on my personal traits, as well as professional experience, to appeal to potential employers when I reach that stage in my career path. Pediatric Occupational Therapists address many different areas, being cognitive skills, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, social skills, and self-care tasks. Weekly schedules can vary, depending on the child and his/her needs. It also depends on the environment I placed in, which can be a school, clinic, hospital or even a separate private program. Most often play is integrated into activities, to keep the children motivated and interested in therapy. There will be schedules of toys, songs, and physical exercise games, as well as using new technology, in my daily

I would be able to work for schools still, and help the youth. I would also be sought after by organizations that focus on counseling and psychotherapy. Juvenile Counselors are responsible for helping youth solve their problems as well as refer them to other services. Problems being substance abuse, disabilities, emotional issues or behavior issues. I would perform group and individual therapy sessions weekly, as well as, work with other professionals such as psychologists, teachers, or social workers. This path has more stress and a tendency to overload the workloads, so I would have to learn to manage my stress and workload to avoid future problems. Burnout is common in social work, and being poorly paid will not help motivate workers. So, although this career path requires fewer steps academically, it requires more durability emotionally and mentally. However, I love helping the youth and feel that internal motivation is sufficient enough for