Orla Cunningham

I completed a 6-week placement at wheelchair services where I developed unique skills and experience in client assessment's evaluating posture and mobility abilities, wheelchair prescriptions, adjustments and fittings and interdisciplinary collaboration with physios and engineers. I developed great problem-solving skills, teamwork skills and time management skills throughout this placement.

During my 8-week elective placement at a special educational needs school, I worked closely with children with a range of sensory needs, including those with autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing difficulties, and complex learning disabilities. I gained valuable experience in assessing sensory preferences and needs, and supported the development and delivery of sensory-based interventions to help improve regulation, engagement, and participation in daily school activities. I collaborated with teaching staff and therapists to adapt environments and tasks, ensuring they were accessible and meaningful for each child. This placement strengthened my understanding of paediatric occupational therapy, sensory integration approaches.

I got to complete a 6-week placement at a community mental health setting during this I got to carry out initial assessments, develop therapeutic relationships, carry out intervention planning, manage group dynamic's and encourage participation, identify and respond to potential risks and carry out kitchen assessments and OCAIRs assessments that explores clients occupational circumstances.

During this placement on an intermediate care ward, I developed a range of skills and experiences I developed skills through carrying out functional assessments, cognitive assessments and risk assessment. I developed skills in rehabilitation plans and equipment prescriptions. I also got to go on environmental visits. I developed my skills in balancing multiple patients and prioritising tasks.

I completed a month-long placement in a stroke transitional unit which I have learnt and development effective and appropriate communication skills I have contributed to work effectively as a team. I have improved at managing my own workload and have an idea of my limits of own practice. I have become more confidant when talking to patients and service users and adjusting my communication skills to ensure they understand. During this placement I completed a number of washing and dressing activities, kitchen and initial assessments with the patients. I also developed my skills using the different types of equipment that patients may need to use. I also did a lot of activities to help patients improve their motor skills and got to work alongside physios and speech and language therapists.

I completed a week observational placement in

a community setting.