Mya Graybill – Occupational Therapy Internship

Hi! My name is Mya Graybill, and I am a senior at Garden Spot High School.  In my senior year, I had the opportunity to work with Carol Wallace, the school district’s Occupational Therapist. Mrs. Wallace works in the elementary, middle school, and high school at ELANCO. She helps students both younger and older to have an easier time in school and at home. Working with her has helped me realize how much students can grow in a small amount of time. It has really been eye-opening to see how even if kids are nonverbal, we can still communicate and give them effective therapy.

Occupational Therapy is giving patients with both mental and physical disabilities therapy by replicating small everyday tasks in order to gain a feeling of independence and a better quality of life. The Occupational Therapy field has an endless number of opportunities that allow OTs to be specialized and work with all different types of people. My mentor, Mrs. Wallace, has been working in our school district for many years and has been able to work with all different types of students. In Elementary, she works with many students that may need help with fine motor skills such as their handwriting. She may also help them do other small things they use in their everyday lives such as zipping up coats, taking off lids, and buttoning clothing. Mrs. Wallace gives her students a feeling of independence that many believed they never could have.

Much of my time at my internship is shadowing sessions. It has always been interesting to me how even if kids are having a rough day, by taking their minds off of the things that might be upsetting them, they can make more progress then they have before. I have learned that it is important to have a positive attitude, even when it is hard. Another part of my internship is helping organize papers for students and helping with tools or different therapy equipment. Mrs. Wallace has boxes for each student with tasks they are supposed to complete. As they progress in their therapy, their tasks will be switched with either more challenging items or something they may have to use a new part of their body in order to complete. Mrs. Wallace will have kids putting together puzzles, using peg boards, buttoning, zipping, and other small activities to strengthen their joints, and work on fine motor skills.

My internship has helped me solidify my confidence in going into Occupational Therapy. It has always been a job I have wanted to do, but experiencing Occupational Therapy on a firsthand basis, has definitely helped me realize it is what I want to do. My plan for the future is to attend a 5-year accelerated program for Occupational Therapy. I hope to work in acute care and continue to strengthen the quality of life of my patients.