​Evidence

As the Rehabilitation Student Representative for the School of Graduate and Professional Studies (SGPS) Council, I am the liaison between the rehabilitation student body and the graduate student government. My major roles include attending monthly rehabilitation council meetings, monthly SGPS council meetings, and relaying pertinent information from SGPS to the rehabilitation student body. I use many forms of communication to convey messages such as email, the rehabilitation students’ newsletter, class announcements, and social media.

 

In my second placement, I interacted with many adults who had dementia and this required me to alter my communication styles. I had to listen carefully to what the client was saying and pay attention to their non-verbal cues. At the beginning of each session, I introduced myself, explained who I was and what I had planned, asked for consent to begin, and asked for their preferred name. This helped build rapport and created an environment of trust.

 

I have also gained valuable experience from courses such as, OT 851 Therapeutic Relationships, OT 854 Systems Level Communication, and OT 853 Coaching. These courses have been opportunities to practice and further develop my communication, interview, and active listening skills. In addition, as co-chair of the 2015 Health and Human Rights Conference I gained further experience communicating and public speaking to a large student audience.