Thanks for the encouragement, Sarah. I’ll consider your suggestion. In the meantime, I give anyone permission to disseminate these links in whatever way they can reach the most families in need.
I also work in the public school system with a huge caseload, many children in groups with a handful of individual sessions for my more impaired, autistic and non verbal students. I’m making phone calls, creating videos on everything from animal walks to core and UE strengthening exercises to ADLs including shoe lace tying … I’m scanning documents like crazy to try and reach everyone and even that is a daunting task.
Today I’m participating in a NYSUIT webinar with an OT regarding ergonomics right now as everyone is working from home.
The biggest challenge will be going live as OT, PT and speech therapists schedule their caseloads working with each other and staff so as not to have conflicts. I’m currently in 5 buildings. I’m not so concerned about my MS and HS students as I have been in touch with those families and students. The concern is groups at the elementary level … we, as therapists are literally HANDS ON practitioners. Any advice would be helpful! Thank you in advance!
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Hi Linda!! I’m so glad to hear from you. School OTs in urban areas have definitely been on my mind and heart, because I know you are navigating so much!
First of all, it sounds to me like you are working so hard and doing the best you can given the circumstances— which is all we can ask of ourselves in this incredibly busy and complex time.
Also, I wanted to assure you that even though OTs have been hands on practitioners part of our skillset is also problem solving with clients, and essentially coaching them to meet their goals. The research we’ve looked at behind this “coaching model” (which telehealth lends itself to) has been really promising. So, even though your care looks different. Be confident you can still make a difference in the lives of your kiddos.
I’m curious if @Jayson_Davies_OTRL is aware of any school-based OT resources that have come out recently to help therapists in your circumstance.
And, finally, we have some amazing ergonomic OTs in here, so if you have any specific questions after your webinar don’t hesitate to let us know. As an OT who has worked from home for several years, I have spent a lot of time thinking about home set-ups!
I’m glad you’re here, Linda!
Hey @linda,
It’s sounds like you are doing the best you can. We are all trying to do our best, but at the end of the day we have to remember that we can only do so much when we are all building the plan as we try to fly it. There are many helpful resources out there for teletherapy, but honestly I have been too overwhelmed to keep track of them all.
I do highly suggest that you take @SarahLyon’s idea of the coaching model to heart. That is what I am doing for several of my students with more needs. It’s really about coaching up the parents just like we would coach up the teachers and aides in the classroom.
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Hi all!
Like many of you in the early days of all this I went on a search for resources and ended up discovering an OT from Canada who had started a website with blogs, resources, etc. I had already begun amassing some resources just based on what I was seeing on social media but loved the idea of being a part of something bigger and more cohesive. I am now the People and Wellness Lead for Beyond Covid and wanted to invite you all to check out our site and social media. We’re always looking for more ideas, contributors, or just another human to welcome and help along on this journey we’re all on.
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Wow!! Thanks for sharing, @Emily_PolovickMoulds!
I just read about the amazing team you all have going and through the topics on the blog! What an awesome endeavor!! Who do you think your main readership is at this point? Is there a way to sign up for blog updates? If not, go ahead and ping me next time you have a new post 
!
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Thanks @SarahLyon! We do not have a way to sign up for blog updates at this point but do post on social media when there is a new one 
We are mainly word of mouth at this point and seem to be going in circles of OTs/those interested in social justice. We are working on narrowing our audience.
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@Emily_PolovickMoulds Hi Emily! This link seems to be blocked. Is this organization still active? I’m looking at resources for Long Covid. Thanks!
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I just checked too- and i think that site did come down. Are you looking for research or patient handouts on long COVID, @deanna? Such an important topic to be exploring! I want to revisit it on the podcast later this year!
@SarahLyon I’m mostly interested in case studies or research. I have my own handouts using integrative health practices that are working well. I’m curious if other OTs are using acupressure, essential oils, breathwork, yoga or other complementary practices to treat Long Covid. There is research on acupuncture points (needles, required acupuncture training) but not acupressure points (no needles, can be performed by trained OTs) for Long Covid.
Hey @deanna! I haven’t read this article yet- but I’m curious to dig into it. It looks like it describes the COVID long haulers program at Mayo! Might be an interesting read for you? Post-COVID-19 Syndrome (Long Haul Syndrome): Description of a Multidisciplinary Clinic at Mayo Clinic and Characteristics of the Initial Patient Cohort - PubMed
@SarahLyon Thanks, I also found this one about headaches, which many of my clients have with Long Covid. (https://doi.org/10.1177/03331024211020404) The presence of headache at onset in SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with long-term post-COVID headache and fatigue: A case-control study.
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