Why I Want To Be An Occupational Therapist Essay

If you ask an eight year old child what they want to be when they grow up, their response varies from teacher, to fire fighter, to a pop star. I myself wanted to be a doctor in order to help children who were like my sister; little did I know a doctor would not be one of the most influential members in her life. My younger sister was diagnosed with autism when she was three years old and at the time, my eight-year-old self did not comprehend what autism was, why my sister was diagnosed with it, or even how she was going to get better. I would go with my mother after school to my sister’s therapy sessions and at that young age, I knew one day I wanted to be like those who I saw helping my sister; although at the time I did not know they were
There is no medication that can help children with autism, much like there is no medication for several other disabilities. The only hope for these children to be able to manage everyday life is to be in the hands of an occupational therapist, one who can be patient and help him or her through the struggles they will face. Throughout my life, it has been as if I was my sister’s own occupational therapist at home, seeing as how I have helped her with many tasks as she has grown up. From homework, to dressing herself daily, I have always been there for her and will be there for the children I encounter in the future. My younger sister is my motivation, my drive, and my inspiration to help autistic children, like her, and children with all types of disorders, live and successfully strive in today’s world. By obtaining my Occupational Therapy degree, I can have the opportunity to be among those who I have placed at such high standards, and be fortunate enough to change someone's life one day, the way the therapists did for my sister and my family. My sister's occupational therapists have given us the chance to see my sister graduate from her senior year of high school and continue to strive through many other accomplishments. She is now, because of them, a high functioning adult who is looking forward to the future while enrolled in college