Student Spotlight, MaryClaire Attisano: Leisure activities to enhance mental health
The OT Student Spotlight is an ongoing series of articles that highlight OT and OTA student success stories as well as the quirks, challenges, and joys that make up student life. Share the great things you and/or your class is up to within the OT community.
Describe a meaningful, OT-related project that you were recently involved in.
I am currently researching the outcomes of participation in leisure on the mental well-being of pediatric individuals residing at Latham Centers in Brewster Massachusetts. Latham Centers houses two populations: children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, or who have Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) or a PWS-like diagnosis. These populations are connected by their experiences of difficulties navigating and coping with the ups and the downs of daily life. Both populations face many challenges with completing ADLs and creating social connections. The goal of this research is to develop a program to help students at Latham ages 9 to 22 with these conditions gain new therapeutic skills through engagement in leisure activities. The leisure activities spanned 14 weeks with the goal of benefiting Latham’s total population of 41 students. The activities were implemented during residential hours in groups of seven or fewer. The idea is that engaging in leisure activities will enhance the students’ ability to manage their emotions in healthy and productive ways. This program aims to provide the students with new leisure activities to inspire their growth and development, and guide them in achieving more balance in their lives.
The need for leisure activities is increasingly evident for children and adolescents with trauma or PWS, especially following the mental health implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. The implementation of leisure activities will foster engagement, facilitate learning experiences, promote personal growth, and enhance psychological well-being.
My experiences at Latham Centers provided me with additional knowledge regarding program development and offered me the opportunity to make a difference within the Latham community. My personal experience working with Latham’s community while developing my project had a lasting impact on me as students and staff responded with overwhelming positivity. By sharing my experience, I hope to inspire other OT students to achieve their goals and take on similar projects to benefit the lives of others within various communities, near or far.
Describe some lessons learned from the project.
I have learned how to:
- adapt and modify activities to meet student needs,
- educate staff on safely implementing the new activities, and
- collaborate across departments to facilitate successful project implementation.
What is in your "OT school box"? List your 3 to 5 most useful resources.
I always carry my creativity and a flexible mindset. I always strive to provide client-centered care. My school toolbox also contains a positive mindset and a never-give-up attitude, which has helped me fulfill my lifelong dream of entering the medical profession to help care for others. As a student, I also found studying in groups, creating visuals, and using the Occupational Therapy for Physical Dysfunction (8th edition) textbook to study human conditions most useful.
What is the most inspiring thing you have witnessed in class?
I have witnessed the use of adaptive equipment in providing people recovering from stroke with the ability to care for themselves more independently. I have also experienced using a mobility device to navigate downtown Providence, RI, to gain a deeper understanding and awareness of the challenges of accessibility.
What are your tips for acing an exam?
My number one tip to ace any OT exam is to have confidence in yourself. To be successful on any exam or assignment, you need to believe that you can achieve anything you set your mind to. I always believe that you know more than you think you do. Have confidence! You’ve got this!
What is your dream practice area?
My dream practice area is in an inpatient pediatric and NICU setting. I also hope to work with people who have experienced spinal cord injury to help them set and achieve daily goals. I have dreamed of working in these settings my entire OT career, and I can't wait to enter the practice. My capstone project at Latham Centers has inspired me to pursue treatment of the pediatric and adolescent populations. Through my project, I have learned how to adapt activities in the moment, facilitate and present new ideas in a meaningful way, and collaborate with the pediatric population to create individualized projects to which they respond, “I loved this,” and “I can’t wait until next week.” I am eager to work with persons with spinal cord injuries and pediatric patient populations because I will be able to support daily function through motivating and creative client-centered interventions.
If you could be any assistive device/durable medical equipment, what would it be?
I would be a power wheelchair. The power wheelchair is versatile and can provide a variety of individuals with the ability to be mobile while adapting to their specific needs. I believe that the power wheelchair is more than just an assistive device because it has the capability to change lives. It represents quality, adaptability, and accommodation. The power wheelchair is of particular interest to me as I am working with people who have sustained a spinal cord injury and assisting them in selecting various mobility devices. As a future occupational therapist, I believe that all persons should have the ability to adapt and succeed in reaching their full potential through participation in daily life.
MaryClaire Attisano, OTDS, pursued a career in health care as it combines her enjoyment of learning medical sciences and fulfills her need to care for others. Her ultimate dream is to pursue acute care and gain experience working with pediatric and neonatal populations. She is a believer that all persons can achieve their dreams despite any limitations. By pursuing a lifelong occupational therapy career, she intends to provide meaning to all persons’ lives through purposeful activity. For herself, this includes being an active member of her 4-H community, engaging in community service, farming, and spending time with friends and family.