HEALTH 420 - INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

Intern's Final Evaluation/Reflection

PURPOSE: to help you reflect on and evaluate your total internship experience.
Answer each question completely in the internship section of your portfolio you may
integrate responses to these questions any way you feel is logical.
1. Review your goals and objectives for your internship and assess your internship
site as it provided a setting for achieving those goals and objectives.
a. During my internship I was able to complete all of my goals and
objectives. The Care Center offered me a wonderful internship experience.
The occupational therapists that I worked with where very knowledgeable
and shared their knowledge willingly with me. I learned techniques and
methods to treating patients that I had never seen prior to this internship.
2. Explain and show how you achieved the goals you set.
a. I learned about several different diagnoses and disease from interning at
the Care Center. This goes with my goal one.
i. Spina Bifida: When there is an incomplete closing of the backbone
and the membranes that surrounds the spinal cord. The most
common location is the lower back.
ii. Autism Spectrum Disorder: complex brain disorder, characterized
by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal
communication and repetitive behaviors. About 1 in 68 American
children have ASD.
iii. Cerebral Palsy: Children are born with Cerebral Palsy but it does
not get worse overtime. It is caused by abnormalities in parts of the
brain that control muscle movements. The most common
characteristic is lack of muscle coordination when preforming
voluntary movements.
iv. Oppositional Defiant Disorder: condition in which a child displays
an ongoing patter of uncooperative, defiant, and hostile behavior.
This behavior disrupts the childs normal daily activities.
b. My goal two is to complete a case study. I completed it on a patient who
has spina bifida after following her throughout my internship. I have
included the history of the patient, research on Spina Bifida, and possible
treatment plans.
c. While during research for my case study I have learned about several
developmental milestones (goal objective 3). Also, through talking with
the therapist I have gained a better understanding on when milestones
should be achieved.

Age

Fine Motor Development

1 Month

-Briefly regards objects

-Hands form a fist
Occasionally brings hands
to mouth
-Wraps fingers around
object when placed in palm
of hand
- Makes vowel-like sounds
- Responds with
vocalization to mothers
smile and voice
- Listens to voices
-Makes cooing sounds

3 months

6 Months

9 Months

12 Months

-Brings object to mouth

- Pulls blanket off face
- Plays with hands at center
of their vision or in front of
their face
- Holds onto objects for up
to 30 seconds
- Both hands on bottle
- Knows what it is reaching
for
- Looks or goes after
dropped objects
- Transfers objects from
hand to hand
-Bangs toys on surface
-Hands to feet/feet to mouth
-Holds two objects, one in
each hand
-Bangs, drops, shakes toys
-Grasps small objects using
thumb against side of index
finger
-Plays pat-a-cake/claps
hands
-Pokes with index finger
-Reaches for objects that
are close
-With demonstration will

Mental
Development
-Can Distinguish tastes
-Expects feedings at
certain intervals
-Briefly watches
objects

Social Development
- Makes eye contact
when alert
-Quiets when picked up
-Regards faces and
reacts to stimulation

- Attentive for up to 15
minutes at one time
- Follows object from
side to side of body
-Repeats actions for
their own sake

- Begins to understand
that hands and feet are
extensions of self
- Stop crying when
parents approach
- Responds with total
body to face he/she
recognizes
-Picks up blocks
-Shows fear of strangers
briefly and directly
and excitement to
- Inspects objects at
familiar people
length
-Laughs when head
-Senses the relationship covered with towel
between hands and
- Holds out arms when
objects they manipulate wants to be picked up

-Fears heights, aware

of vertical space
-Beginning of
intelligence
-Begins to show a
quality of persistence

-Recognizes mother and

self in mirror
-Perceives mother as a
separate person; father
as a separate person

- Stacks two blocks

-Searches for a hidden
object
-Understands no and

-Distinguishes from self

and others
-Fears strangers Waves
bye-bye and plays peak-

13 to 18
months

24 Months

2.5-3years

4-6 years

release cube into cup

-Uses finger and thumb to
pick up objects that are
small
-Holds crayon a way that
allows them to color
-Turns more than one page
at a time
-Builds tower of two cubes
-Removes lid from shoebox
to retrieve toy
-Holds foot out to put shoe
on
-Holds two cubes in one
hand
-Scribbles on paper
-Removes both shoes and
socks
Places two shapes in a
puzzle
-Strings beads
-Snips paper in one place
with scissors
-Separates pop beads in one
place
Places three shapes in a
puzzle
-Draws a straight line
-Unzips zipper
-Removes screw on cap
from bottle
-Places ring on stand in any
order
-Able to turn a door knob
-Draws circles, end point
within one-half inch of
beginning
-Removes shirt
-Demonstrates hand
washing
-Winds up toy by turning
knob
-Draws a cross with
intersecting lines
-Folds paper in half

bye-bye

Understands
relationship
between object
and use
Beginning
concept of up
and down
Recognizes
familiar
pictures

a-boo

-Feeds self with hands

-Enjoys being the center
of attention
-Prefers certain people
to others
-Begins to adjust to
babysitter

-Refers to self by name

-Invents new ways to
play with a toy
-Begins mental
problem-solving and
play
-Has insight and
forethought
-Builds tower of 4-8
blocks
-Fantasy play
-Begins to understand
concept of time
-Uses symbols
increasingly
-Repeats numbers

-Dawdles
-Wants to make friends
-Listen to imitate
parents

- Gives first and last

name
-Dresses alone
-Copies familiar shapes
-Describes objects seen

-Shows many emotions

-Parallel play with other
children
-Developing a sense of
right and wrong

-Separates easily from

parents
-Independent in
toileting except wiping
-Begins to understand
taking turns and sharing

-Colors within the lines

- Connects dots
7-12 years

-Increasingly skillful with

hands
-Likes to build things
-Is learning to write in
cursive

13 16 years

-Able to understand
advanced levels of
communication
-High level of
comprehension and
vocabulary

in pictures
-Makes decisions
easily
-Curious about
function and use of
objects
-Concrete operational
stage

-Knows right from left

-Concerned about body

image and function
-Begins to develop
abstract thinking and
logic
-Enjoys developing
intellectual powers

-Tendency to be selfconscious
-Peers from important
than family

- Wants privacy
-Wants to be involved
in clubs

d. I researched commonly seen surgeries in the clinic (goal objective 4).

i. Gastrostomy Tubes- feeding tubes placed through the abdomen
into the stomach. They are used to give children formula, liquids,
and medications.
ii. Tracheostomy- surgical procedure to create an opening through the
neck into the trachea. The tube provides an airway and to remove
secretions from the lungs.
iii. Meningocele repair- surgery to repair birth defects of the spine and
spinal membranes
e. Through interacting with the therapists from all disciplines I have learned
about different equipment that is used during therapy (goal objective 5).
i. Special scissors for cutting- there are different types of scissors
that assist a child in learning to cut. Each type offers a different
type of support and assistance.
ii. Sensory equipment- ranges from play-doh, gel, rice, or noodles.
These are used for different stimulation activities.
iii. Visual Learning equipment- an iPad offers tons of different games
that are useful in strengthening visual skills while incorporating
hand-eye coordination.
1. Pictures- by comparing two different pictures or using a
game that involves finding different objects a child can
strengthen his/her visual skills.
f. I finished researching different types of playground equipment for the Tim
Tebow grant (goal objective 6).
i. I researched different variations of wheelchair swings, monkey
bars, swings, rubber mulch, picnic tables and slides.

3. Choose one project/assignment and describe it as follows:

a. How well do you think you accomplished the project or dealt with the
experience(s)?
i. I feel that I accomplished the playground equipment project very
well. The staff made suggestions on what type of equipment they
wanted for the playground and from their suggestions I researched
several different types of equipment. After completing the
research, I made a poster board with the selections to present to the
staff of The Care Center. After, I designed a virtual playground to
plan the layout.
b. What skills did you use? (e.g. writing, speaking, organizing, interpersonal,
counseling, management, research, etc.)
i. To complete this project my communication and research skills
were used. My communication skills allowed me to effectively
explain how each piece of equipment was unique and how it would
be beneficial to the playground. By completing in-depth research
on playground equipment I was able to use my research/evaluating
skills to find out pros and cons of each piece of equipment.
c. Point out your strengths and weaknesses. What would you do differently?
i. One of my strengths includes researching and evaluating. I used
this strength to my advantage for this project. Also, by designing a
playground online I was able to asses the quantity of equipment the
space would allow. My weakness of public speaking was tested
during this project when I presented to the staff. However, I was
able to overcome this and was successful. I would do the poster
boards differently if I could do this project again. The text under
each picture was hard for the staff to read. Next time, I would have
also made a handout to allow the staff to follow along with me as I
presented.
4. Assess your contribution to the internship site.
a. I feel I made a good contribution to The Care Center. I was readily
available when any of the therapists needed assistance. This could be
anywhere from getting a toy that was on the other side of the gym to
running an errand so they did not have to leave the clinic. I made an effort
to sanitize and put away any equipment used during a therapy session to
allow the therapist more time with the patient. Also, during therapy
sessions I helped the therapist in any way she needed. I would demonstrate
for the patients how an activity or game was suppose to go, encourage the
patient, and help the patient if they were having trouble. I filed daily notes,
shredded old therapy goals and other confidential paperwork, and
organized paperwork in charts.
5. Has your experience changed or reinforced your career goals. Changed or
reinforced your educational goals? Could you see yourself as a professional in
this field?

a. Through interning at The Care Center my career choice was reinforced. I

am even more excited about choosing a career that allows me to express
my passion of helping others on a daily basis. I gained valuable experience
and confirmed that I want to work with pediatrics once I am an
Occupational Therapist. I can without a doubt see myself as a professional
in the field of Occupational Therapy. My educational goals of going on to
graduate school to achieve a Masters in Occupational Therapy have been
reinforced. I cannot wait to potentially start Occupational Therapy School
in summer.
6. Relate your internship experience to your academic work on campus. List at least
5 specific courses (by title, not number) either in your major or outside your
major that were useful at this site.
a. Infant and Child Developmental Psychology: This class taught me about
development from the ages of birth to teens. It helped me see the
developmental differences in children developing normally versus those
that are developmentally delayed.
b. Lifespan Developmental Psychology: I learned about human development
from birth until old age. This class helped me understand different
diagnosis seen in the clinic and how they affect every aspect of the
patients life.
c. Abnormal Psychology: This class extensively covered diagnosis in regard
to mental and physical health. One disorder in particular, Oppositional
Defiant Disorder, was seen greatly in the clinic. Through learning about
this disorder prior to my internship I was prepared to deal successfully
with it.
d. Anatomy and Physiology I &II: This class extensively covered the human
body. It was particularly helpful when the therapist talked about different
diagnosis and affected the body.
e. Human Health and Disease: This class covered diseases and
environmental factors that influence different diseases. This was
particularly helpful when the therapists were explaining outside factors in
relation to the prognosis of diseases.
f. Medical terminology: This class was most helpful when I was reading
patient charts and hearing different diagnosis for the first time. By
previously learning prefixes, suffixes, and word roots I had an
understanding of what each word meant.
7. Were there instances at your site where the health literacy training were utilized?
Explain.
a. There was an instance that stands out to me when my health literacy
training was helpful. A patients parents were confused about what a
doctor had told them regarding their childs health. They thought the
doctor had told them that their childs brain was to small for her skull.
They did not understand that the brain and skull couldnt be the same size
due to the fact that the brain must fit into the skull. The doctor was
actually explaining since the patient was born premature and

developmental delayed as a result, her brain was smaller. Through my

training I was able to assist the therapist in explaining this concept to the
parents.