One in every ten infants is born premature worldwide. Over one million of premature infants die soon after they are born.

Jenna Pasquarella

IS IT BENEFICIAL FOR ALL PREMATURE INFANTS WITH SENSORY DISORDERS TO GO THROUGH OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ?

Premature Infants • Infants born at 36 weeks or earlier •Many difficulties - breathing -Vision - brain -hearing - heart -impaired cognitive skills - temperature control - Cerebral Palsy -metabolism - immune -blood • Death • Mental disabilities

Sensory Disorders •The brain and nervous system are wired abnormally.

•Premature infants, Downs Syndrome , Autism, ADD, and many other disorders.

•Babies with this may be picky eaters, texture sensitive, rubbing eyes, blinking a lot, cry a lot or not at all.

Occupational Therapy •A job in which you help people to be as independent as possible with the disorder, or problem they have.

•Different treatments for different problems. •Works with infants to elders

•Works with mentally, physically, developmentally, and emotional disorders

Because I researched about occupational therapy I

decided to volunteer at a therapy office to really

understand what occupational therapy is.

Product • I looked up some pediatric therapy

offices to volunteer at. • found one that allowed volunteering. • Called them up and planned the day

to go!

Product•I went there 8 times total for three to two hours at a time. •I went over a two month time period. •Met with my mentor each time

What Did I Do? •Weighed putty •Watched my first session• Called patients to remind• Scanned things • Filed • Played games, putty , and puzzles with children• Sang and danced with children • Swing, balance beam, obstacle coarse • Participated with activities • Laminated

Mentor • Erin Rosner • physical therapist at Cary Pediatric Therapy Associates• helped me with finding occupational therapists that

were willing to let me help them out • gave a lot of great ideas for pictures • allowed me to come into her sessions as well

Challenges and Successes• Pictures of children• Restrictions on helping out • Finding O.Ts that allowed me

to help

• Getting all my hours • Meeting with my mentor• Learning more about

occupational therapy.

Challenges Successes

What I learned • Different treatments • Types of equipment • How to socialize with adults better• Office work • Time management

Thank you for your time. Do you have any

questions?