Students Experience Occupational Therapy in South Africa 

Dr.  Roseann Schaaf was invited to speak at the 16th Congress of the South African Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions in Cape Town South Africa in September.  Two graduate students from the Department of Occupational Therapy accompanied Dr. Schaaf.  Dr. Schaaf presented a one day workshop entitled:  Sensational Principles for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).  This workshop provides the therapist with practical strategies for using sensory integration in occupational therapy with children who have autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).

Dr. Schaaf also presented a plenary session entitled - Sensory Processing in children with autism:  What’s the brain got to do with it? This session presented current data regarding the incidence, frequency and nature of unusual sensory responses in autism; and current thinking about the brain mechanisms of sensory processing in autism. 

Dr. Schaaf and the OT students, Rachel Feinstein and Caroline Rebhun met a number of Occupational Therapy leaders and faculty from the University of Cape Town’s Occupational Therapy program.  They shared ideas about occupational therapy and learned about strategies for implementing occupational therapy service in the rural areas of South Africa with historically disadvantaged populations.  “The trip was an enriching and culturally stimulating experience” notes Dr. Schaaf.  We had the opportunity to meet individual’s from many areas of Africa and learn how they utilize occupational therapy concepts and theories to meet the needs of children and families who live in extreme poverty.  In this regard, the experience really shaped my view of occupational therapy theories and demonstrated the value of the work we do in different cultures and socioeconomic situations.

Dr. Schaaf and the students also had the opportunity to tour in some of the most beautiful  and historically rich areas of the world – The coast line of Cape Town, Robben Island – the birth place of end of Apartheid, and Table Mountain – the majestic backdrop for Cape Town.   They also had time for a safari – where they saw lion, giraffe, and other African animals in the wild.  In fact, during a walking safari, the group observed 4 white rhino fairly closely. The Rhinos picked up the scent of the group – and charged!  Luckily, Rhinos can’t see well because they went right past the group – thankfully.  All (except the rhinos, of course) are back in Philadelphia safe and sound.

See Travel Stories:

Rachel Feinstein

Caroline Rebhun