Michael M.

Meet Michael

• Speaks English
• Comfortable with pets

I am currently a 2nd year graduate student in a Master's program in Occupational Therapy. I am reliable, enthusiastic, hardworking, maintain a calm demeanor, and enjoy working with children. My experience has primarily been with school age and teenage children with special needs. For three years I worked at a summer camp as a one-to-one aide for an individual with muscular dystrophy. I was responsible for all of his physical, behavioral, social, and emotional needs. I assisted him so that he could participate in such activities as swimming, music, horseback riding, sports, and other camp activities. It was also important to communicate any health, behavioral, or general concerns to corresponding staff (OT, PT, speech, psychology), while honoring all treatment and behavior plans. This past summer, I worked at a summer camp for children with special needs, with an emphasis on social skills training. I worked with a group of thirteen Read more 7- and 8-year-olds, with such diagnoses as ADHD, autism, and anxiety. We worked on social skills in both a classroom setting and during various camp activities, such as swimming, sports, art, and music). Once per week I was the lead counselor, leading morning meeting, social skills time, and sports activities. We also went on weekly field trips to the beach, museums, and the zoo, which provided a chance for the campers to practice each week's skills in the community. This past academic year, I have had two pediatric internships through my program. The first was a sensory integration gym, treating clients with primarily autism, general sensory concerns, and sensory-based motor disorders. I mainly observed the OTs on staff, while being able to participate in sessions here and there. I am currently at the second placement, which is a general outpatient pediatric clinic, seeing clients with autism, sensory concerns, developmental delays, physical disabilities, ADHD, and many other conditions. At this site I am given more opportunities to participate during sessions. I have cared for children with various needs and behaviors, providing assistance in various dimensions of care and activities. My experience spans from working on a one-to-one basis to working in groups, and from the perspective of an OT to the perspective of a mentor and friend. Over the years I have learned skills and lessons beyond those learned in a classroom, leading me to my current profession, as well as my personal and professional growth.

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Experience