Occupational Therapy Interns Make a Difference for IRC Clients

Occupational Therapists help people to participate fully in daily activities that people both need and want to do. People who come to the U.S. as refugees have had many of their occupations disrupted by the process of forced migration, which is why the IRC is grateful to have the help of Occupational Therapy students working with refugees. In Occupational Therapy, the term ‘occupation’ is not limited to employment; an occupation can be anything from walking your dog, caring for your child, to brushing your teeth in the morning.
 
Katie Cotter and Allison Stoner have been working with IRC since January 2011as part of a twelve week internship for school. Katie and Allison have done a wide variety of tasks with the families who work with IRC. Some examples include medication management, public transportation education, household and self management techniques, and help with routines within families’ daily lives. Overall, Occupational Therapy is a great way to help people new to the U. S. acclimate to life in America and help them get a head start on occupations they want to engage in to live lives to the fullest.
 
The IRC would like to thank Katie and Allison for their dedication and time as interns as well as the University of Utah Division Of Occupational Therapy for their continued support assisting refugees in our community.