#schoolbasedot

Woah nelly! I've already dove into my second week of my experience and I've already learned so much about my experience!

Because I came to my advisor, Dr. Kate Crowley, with so many facts to spill, she highly recommended somehow writing about what I learn and the feelings I have throughout my progress. After blogging some of my artist dates for OT 310: Creativity Workshop, I knew how easy blogging on Tumblr could be for this opportunity :) Blogging on here could just take a few minutes, or a couple of minutes--depending if I'm on the go or not. Thank goodness for mobile apps so I can jot my thoughts on the go!

Well let's just start off by saying: I'm a bit nervous. I always knew Psyc 391 was an option to get a direct exposure into a professional field that might trigger interest into a future profession. When I finally had room (and time!) in my schedule, I inquired and here I am enrolled.

With this fast transition, I feel a bit at a rush. I know I might have an interest in school-based occupational therapy. But this subject has so many paths that it can take! And I know I'm not supposed to have all the answers now. It'll come in due time. I guess what I am trying to say is that I am overwhelmed, not knowing where I want my paper to investigate specifically.

Before any exposure into Lanterman High School, I have had a long time interest in Occupational Therapy. My mother herself is a physical therapist and works with Glendale Adventist Medical Center in Glendale, CA. Since my mom knew of the benefits of having younger adults working with those of mental disabilities, she pushed me to work on the pediatric side of her outpatient clinic. After one successful summer in working with GAMC's Play to Learn camps, it looks as if I'm into OT for the long-haul!

It wasn't until I dove into the OS minor within the USC Division of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Sciences did I realize how broad of a spectrum that occupational therapy holds. OT can range from all developmental stages of life: from infancy to geriatrics and everything in between.

This fact astounded me even more! This past semester, I then wanted to learn more about the different cohorts of OT. I then got myself involved with COPE Health Solution's Clinical Care Extender Internship opportunity with Glendale Adventist Medical Center. I had rotated through two floors (Cardiac Telemetry Unit and Acute Rehabilitation Unit), each having a duration of three month long experiences. Although CTU expanded my horizons quite a bit, I learned the most from ARU. Here, I got direct involvements with OT's on hand. The nurses and rehab team were so helpful, I saw myself working in a hospital floor. This is quite groundbreaking seeing that I always had a dedication to pediatrics.

With this new itch to explore other factors of OT, I am now approaching Psyc 391 with open arms. I don't have much experience in working with adolescents, and even so with adolescents diagnosed with a mental or physical disability.

Which then brings me to Lanterman. Lanterman Special Education High School was brought to my attention from USC Best Buddies, a USC student organization that I am a part of. In this organization, college buddies are partnered one-to-one with a buddy from Lanterman (typically students who range from 17-22 years of age and are of high-functioning abilities). I then met Henry, who is indeed pictured above in the blog's header. Henry has most definitely been a strong part of my USC experience, in addition to the many friends, faculty, and teachers that I have met in my spent time with Henry. Henry is most definitely my inspiration for this project, in addition to my future pursuits in Teach for America and/or Occupational Therapy.

Which then brings me to Teach for America. This domestic non-profit organization was brought to my attention after I had attended an Alternative Spring Break trip to Baton Rouge. This trip was associated with Teach for America in that we would learn more about the program: its 2-year commitment to teach in a high-needs, at-risk youth classroom in efforts to bridge the education inequity in the US. After the trip, I saw myself more than ever being a part of this movement, specifically within special education. I am still currently applying to Teach for America, so I am hoping that this experience will give me more insight if I do commit to this dedicated servitude.

Which then leads me to my project idea! I wanted to investigate the tools used to implement special education to students. What made Lanterman so exclusive to be an only all-special education school? What are the debates that some have about this exclusivity? Moreover, did family life hugely shape the students' perceptions of their growth?