Real-Life Decision Making
Decision making is a big part of the work done by an occupational therapist.
Some of the decisions are based on things learned during many years of OT
training at university. Other decisions are on-the-spot, from-the-gut type
decisions.
Imagine that you are an occupational therapist working with
a brain-injured person. Your patient, Bobby, is a 23-year-old man. You have
been helping him learn how to get back into society and function to the best
of his abilities.
A traumatic brain injury has seriously damaged the frontal lobe of Bobby's
brain. He looks quite normal, but he has a problem with uncontrollable anger
and often behaves erratically. Most of the time, though, he is happy, kind
and affectionate.
One day, you and Bobby are at the mall. It is nearing Christmas and you
are helping him choose appropriate gifts for his parents. Bobby is enjoying
looking at all the decorations, combined with the hustle and bustle of the
Christmas shoppers.
All of a sudden, Bobby jerks away from your gentle hold on his arm and
bolts over to an attractive teenager. Before you can do anything, he is enthusiastically
hugging this girl. She looks positively terrified!
One thing you know for sure: You can't let Bobby carry on hugging her.
But at the same time, you know he has a serious problem with controlling anger.
The wrong move or the wrong words could be catastrophic. He has been known
to lash out and hit people without warning. He might also run away sobbing
if you offend him.
How are you going to handle this awkward situation?