Becoming An Occupational Therapy Assistant With A Disability?

Niamh2389

Do you think i would be able to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant if i have a physical disability myself? My disability is in my arms i have very little movement but can function to do a lot of stuff. The only problem i have is dressing myself. Becoming a Occupational Therapy Assistant would be my dream job i feel like i have an understanding in what the client feels and needs as i am disabled myself. Just thought i'd get other peoples opinion on the idea?

Mrs OBumble

What does the job involve doing, and do you have the ability to do that if the employer makes reasonable modifications? If you do, then I can't see why no.

BUT you need to think about the things you can see folks doing, and also the unseen things that they might have to do, eg assist a client if something breaks etc.

Maybe talk to someone who employs these folks, to see what they think?

RacoonQueen

Hey Niamh,

It would probably depend on where you were seeking the work. For example in a hospital you'd have a lot of patients who maybe weren't very good on their feet and you might need to move quick to prevent them falling, have the strength to help them get out of bed/their chair into a wheelchair etc so you cna bring them to the OT room for a session, pushing heavy wheelchairs etc

There are areas of OT where that probably wouldn't be an issue.

Niamh2389

i understand that. I would be more interested working with children. In a school for the disabled, or with the health board going around to peoples house's getting equipment they need at home

A very long time ago I had a job smiler to what you are describing, the thing about being an assistant to an OT or someone similar is that it will involve getting clients ready before and after the session and that goes double for working in a school for children with disabilities., The only way to find out if you could do the job is to see if you could get some voluntary or job shadowing experience in the area you want.

allym

As an OT student myself I've worked with/talked to quite a few OTAs and their jobs do tend to be really physical but that can differ between different practice areas.

I would second the suggestion to see if you could get a day shadowing an OTA working in the field you're interested in, or even just to have a chat with them to see what the job really does entail.

louloubella

Hey Niamh,
I am pretty sure that someone already posted this suggestion so sorry if I am repeating.
Would you think of going for the degree or Msc in Occupational Therapy instead of training as an OTA?
I guess Im wondering about jobs as an OTA and there are a few OTA courses which are quite expensive, actually the same price as one year of the Msc.
You'd have to do 1000 hours of placement ( the Uni organises this) and you're usually given a preference in relation to needs ( for ex. I wanted to remain in a particular county for personal reasons and the Uni arranged for this).

I am a student OT and would encourage you to go the whole distance if it is something that appeals to you.
If you want any infor just drop me an email.

Niamh2389

I can not get into the full degree as i didn't receive enough leaving cert points, but when i pass this course i can enter university's in England to become a fully qualified. That's what im planing on doing so far. OTA Course is just like the back door into Uni, The OTA seems to have a lot more of the physical work, which i would find difficult to do. I would love to work with kids.

Thank