This first-year composition course introduces learners to academic writing and critical thinking. They read and analyze sociopolitical, cultural, and gender issues in texts with an emphasis on experiences of people whose voices were historically silenced, particularly those of Indigenous communities in Canada. Learners develop strategies to communicate their own ideas and integrate them with those of others by quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing source material. Learners present their written assignments professionally according to APA formatting guidelines.

Examine human anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and the relationship between the structure and function of body systems relevant to rehabilitation therapy.

Explore fundamental concepts and theories in interdisciplinary rehabilitation and the unique roles and common practices of occupational therapy, physical therapy, therapeutic recreation, and speech-language pathology. Analyze the role of the therapy assistant within the interdisciplinary team.

Develop skills required to collaborate as an effective member of an interdisciplinary health care team. Explore functional roles within teams, communication strategies, conflict management, and cultural competency. Adapt communication strategies to perform client interviews and develop effective therapeutic relationships in simulated clinical and interprofessional scenarios.

Apply the principles of therapeutic mobility within a rehabilitation context, including body mechanics, functional mobility, bed mobility, lifts and transfers, gait retraining, gait aid fitting, wheelchair operation, and seating mechanics. Complete documentation and reporting requirements.

Explore therapeutic recreation and models of care that guide service delivery. Discuss the Leisure Ability Model as a framework to service, with a focus on promoting client wellness through goal-oriented leisure activities.

Examine essential concepts of functional anatomy including terminology, the movement of joints during various activities, and biomechanical principles.

Examine diagnosis, pathophysiology, and management of various disorders encountered in rehabilitation.

Explore fundamental concepts, theories, and frames of reference specific to occupational therapy and its unique approach to client care. Apply foundational knowledge in activities of daily living (ADL), posture, seating, supportive surfaces, wounds, pressure, splinting, and orthotics. Assist with the modification and management of ADL equipment, splints, and orthotics, and provide client education.

Examine the importance of infection control, limb-handling, and chest physical therapy techniques in rehabilitation. Acquire skills to position clients effectively to promote comfort and safety in simulated clinical scenarios.

Explore the fundamental concepts and theories related to therapeutic modalities. Apply various physical therapy modalities such as thermal therapy, cryotherapy, ultrasound, traction, and electrotherapy and provide client education in simulated clinical scenarios.

Examine client dementia from diagnosis to end stage and explore creative and dynamic approaches to care.

Explore fundamental concepts and theories of therapeutic exercise including resistance, balance, flexibility, and cardiovascular exercises. Assist with the planning, implementation, and modification of therapeutic exercises for individuals and groups.

Conduct functional, range of motion, and strength assessments within a rehabilitation framework of evidence-based, client-centered management.

Learners will apply knowledge and skills in a speech-language therapy setting while gaining experience in the role of the therapy assistant. Under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist, learners will be evaluated based on their ability to demonstrate competencies.

Analyze the stages of therapeutic program development, implementation, and evaluation for clients of a variety of life stages, cultures, and conditions. With focus on the therapy assistant's role in the therapeutic recreation process, apply best practices for selecting activities, engaging clients in active participation, and observing and documenting client response to a variety of programs.

Examine mental health, cognitive function, and related therapeutic interventions. Explore the role of the therapy assistant in mental health and cognitive care.

Examine typical and atypical motor development and the foundations of pediatric care, hand therapy, and amputee rehabilitation. Focus on client-specific considerations and explore various pathological conditions and impairments to provide culturally-sensitive and trauma-informed care.

Analyze the speech and language pathology framework of practice and the role of the therapy assistant in supporting speech, language, and communication. Outline typical speech sound development and common sound and motor speech disorders and apply treatment strategies.

Analyze the speech and language pathology framework of practice and the role of the therapy assistant in supporting language and swallowing. Outline the sequence of typical language development and normal developmental milestones. Apply treatment strategies for developmental and acquired language disorders, and assist in preparing assessments and implementing dysphagia management techniques.

Learners will apply knowledge and skills in a therapeutic recreation setting while gaining experience in the role of the therapy assistant. Under the supervision of a recreation therapist, learners will be evaluated based on their ability to demonstrate competencies.

Learners will apply knowledge and skills in a speech-language therapy setting while gaining experience in the role of the therapy assistant. Under the supervision of an speech-language pathologist, learners will be evaluated based on their ability to demonstrate competencies.

Learners will apply knowledge and skills in a rehabilitation setting to gain experience in the role of the interdisciplinary therapy assistant. Under the supervision of an occupational and/or physical therapist or team of preceptors that also includes recreation therapists and/or speech-language pathologists, learners will be evaluated based on their ability to demonstrate competencies at entry-to-practice.