This course explores the meaning of human occupation and its relationships to health, illness and disability. The historical roots of occupational therapy are explored and linked to the roles of contemporary occupational therapy practitioners. Students will experience a variety of learning strategies and activities as a means to gaining understanding of occupation, the occupational therapy process and the skills needed by a healthcare professional. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

The first in a sequence of courses addressing the emergence of occupational behaviors, skills and life roles in humans throughout the life span. This course presents occupational and developmental frameworks for understanding the occupational nature of infants and children through 12 years of age, their families and caregivers. Means of applying the occupational therapy process by the occupational therapy assistant is studied within the contexts of a variety of disorders, conditions and circumstances affecting this period of human development. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Structured experiential learning will provide opportunities for the student to solidify knowledge, develop and practice professional skills and behaviors utilized in the occupational therapy process with infants, children through twelve years of age and their families in a variety of settings. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

The second in a sequence of courses addressing the emergence of occupational behaviors, skills and life roles in humans throughout the life span. This course presents theoretical frameworks and models for understanding the occupational nature of adolescents and young adults at home, at school and in the community. Approaches to applying the occupational therapy process by the occupational therapy assistant is studied within the contexts of a variety of disorders, conditions and circumstances affecting this period of human development. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Structured experiential learning will provide opportunities for the student to solidify knowledge develop and practice professional skills and behaviors utilized in the occupational therapy process in a variety of settings with adolescents and young adults. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

The third in a sequence of courses addressing the emergence of occupational behaviors, skills and life roles in humans throughout the life span. This course presents theoretical frameworks and models for understanding the occupational nature of the middle adulthood years in home settings, work environments, and in multiple levels of community. Approaches to applying the occupational therapy process by the occupational therapy assistant is studies within the contexts of a variety of disorders, conditions and circumstances affecting this period of human development. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Structured experiential learning will provide opportunities for the student to solidify knowledge, develop and practice professional skills and behaviors utilized in the occupational therapy process in a variety of settings with middle-aged adults. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

The first of a two course sequence designed to develop knowledge and skills needed for the provision of occupational therapy services to special populations. Students will explore the role of the occupational therapy assistant in a variety of service delivery contexts. A variety of strategies used to engage in collaborative occupational therapy supervisory relationships in settings without occupational therapists will be addressed. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

The fourth in a sequence of courses addressing the emergence of occupational behaviors, skills and life roles in humans throughout the life span. This course presents theoretical frameworks and models for understanding the occupational nature of later adulthood in multiple living settings, work-related environments, and in community. Approaches to applying the occupational therapy process by the occupational therapy assistant is studied within the contexts of a variety of disorders, conditions and circumstances occurring during this period of human development. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Structured experiential learning will provide opportunities for the student to solidify knowledge, develop and practice professional skills and behaviors utilized in the occupational therapy process in a variety of settings with elders. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

The second of a two course sequence designed to develop knowledge and skills needed for the provision of occupational therapy services to special populations. Students will explore the role of the occupational therapy assistant in a variety of service delivery contexts. A variety of strategies used to engage in collaborative occupational therapy supervisory relationships in settings without occupational therapists will be addressed. A special populations independent study incorporating fundamentals of entrepreneurship and marketing is included. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Students will apply and synthesize the knowledge base skills and attitudes of an occupational therapy assistant in a supervised health care fieldwork experience. Fieldwork placements in a community settings or institutions will afford students opportunities to engage in occupation-based practice with individuals across the lifespan and who may experience a variety of disorders and conditions. The course includes a campus-based student seminar to support the process of professional skills acquisition. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

Students will apply and synthesize the knowledge base, skills and attitudes of an occupational therapy assistant in a supervised health care fieldwork experience. Fieldwork placements in community settings or institutions will afford students opportunities to engage in occupation-based practice with individuals across the lifespan and who may experience a variety of disorders and conditions. The course includes a campus-based student seminar to support the process of professional skills acquisition. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.