Priya-the-OT

Z was one of my clients when I worked in Dubai. He was a smart and sweet little 7 year old on the spectrum. He had a lot of sensory seeking and self stimulatory behaviours, of which chewing on his shirt and anything else he found within reach, was the most predominant  one. Z had amazing and very supportive parents. The mom would regularly contact me for tips and remedies at each stage for Z.  One holiday period, mom mailed me regarding Z's chewing behaviour which seemed to have increased due to the break in his therapy. Sharing here, the reply I sent to her. (Names hidden to protect identity) Picture courtesy: Google Hi Mrs. F, Just thought I’ll put the things I wanted to suggest into a mail so you can read over in your free time and try out with  Z . I have used these tips for few of my children with oral sensory issues and they have helped them reduce their mouthing behaviors. So, nothing to worry. It’s going to be fine. Always remember “ DO NOT ” force  Z  to stop. It’s not tha

  After I got into college and while I was in the hostel , I had family members and neighbors asking my mother about what I was studying for. I don't know what she told them, but I know for a fact that they didn't ask her more; instead they waited for me to get back. Every holiday when I was home from college, this question used to come back to me. No matter what explanation I gave, people didn't seem to get an idea of what exactly Occupational therapy was.  "So you treat all conditions and all age groups?"😐 "Is your job like that of a teacher's?"😕 "It must be difficult teaching children with low intelligence, right?"😒 "When you say 'rehabilitation', what exactly do you mean? Do you provide artificial limbs?"😣 "is this a branch of nursing?" (😏Duh!!) "What do you mean when you say you treat people with fractures? So are you a Bone Specialist's assistant?"😩 "is it something like career coun

Christian Medical College, Vellore Many people have asked me about how I chose Occupational Therapy as a career, what led me to Occupational Therapy, which was quite unheard of in the mid 90s. I grew up in an era, yes, the mid 90s like I said, where Medicine (MBBS) and Engineering where the most popular (read as ONLY) options for students after their 12th grade. Being born and raised in a typical upper middle class Malayalee family, those were my options too, especially as I was believed to be a promising student.  To be honest, I had other ideas in my head. The oldest ambition I can remember (on the professional route), is my wish to become a Teacher. Why? because all my teachers at Carmel School, Kuwait were pretty, they were beautifully dressed, were friendly with the students and I used to admire them. As I grew older, my ambitions stretched a bit in all directions that at different stages of my childhood I wanted to be an Air Hostess, a Lawyer, a Detective, a Psychologist and more