While "sexual activity" is defined as an Activity of Daily Living (ADL) in the practice framework of Occupational Therapy, it is often overlooked in academic programs and even clinical practice.
Dr. Megan Foti, DOT, MS, OTR, an Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy at Stockton University invited sexABILITIES into the classroom to prepare future Occupational Therapists about how to address relationships and intimacy with their clients.
On Friday, March 22, 2019, these students were a breath of fresh air! They recognize intimate participation as being an integral part of clients' holistic well-being and were eager to learn why, when, and how to talk to their clients about sex. I introduced them to the Six Pillars of the sexABILITIES program (Barriers to Intimate Participation, Courtship & Dating, Relationship Roles, Adaptive Equipment, Fertility & Childbearing, and Identifying a New Normal) which led to engaging and enlightening classroom discussions.
We tackled the sometimes awkward topics with ease, and everyone had a chance to experience The IntimateRider, an adaptive intimacy chair as well as the Viberect by Reflexonic, the "first penile vibratory approved by FDA" that aids in erectile and ejaculatory dysfunctions.
I tasked the students with "1 Minute Papers" at the close of the class and was in awe at the responses I received!
Not only were they inspiring to me as an educator trying to make a difference in clinical practice, but their fervent desire to attain even more knowledge leads me to believe that they will be among the first generation of clinicians to really make a meaningful impact in this subject!
Special thanks to IntimateRider and Urology Health Store for the adaptive equipment donations to make our class more experiential! www.intimaterider.com www.urologyhealthstore.com
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