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Connect: The start of OT and the Consolation House

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Connect: The start of OT and the Consolation House

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On March 15, 1917 the National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy was founded at the Consolation House in Clifton Springs, New York. I connect to this very important event in history because without this meeting and without the founders of OT and this society, the profession may have never started or gained recognition. Due to this meeting and the start of OT, I am able to get an education in this field and become a professional someday as well.

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In 1947, the first OT book was released and published, Principles of Occupational Therapy. The book is in its 12th edition and is used as a foundational resource for many clinicians and students. I connect to this point in OT history because as student I look forward to looking through all the important resources our profession has to offer.

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A Jean Ayres worked to examine how the brain and behavior interacted in the 1950s-1960s. She created a theory that helped “explain the relationship between deficits in interpreting sensation from the body and the environment and difficulties with academic or motor learning.” This became known as sensory integration dysfunction and I connect to this because I worked at a sensory integration clinic for children with autism. I was able to see the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test and interventions put into practice in real life.

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Connect: Americans with Disabilities Act

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Connect: Americans with Disabilities Act

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On July 26, 1990 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. This act prohibited discrimination against people with disabilities. It was foundational in terms of civil rights for people with disabilities. I connect to this point because I believe all people should have access to opportunity without being judged and regardless of ability.

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In 1997, the Federal Balanced Budget Act was passed and as a result it caused a major setback for occupational therapy as a whole. It reduced funding for OT and changed different payment systems in many OT settings. This is a disconnect for me because it was a negative time for OT. It worries me that there could be a similar act in the future that disrupts occupational therapy services for clinicians but most importantly the patients.