Implicit bias

Implicit bias is something that everyone, not only OT students and practitioners, need to be aware of. Implicit bias in short is someones subconscious stereotypes. Sometimes, you don't even know you have them but being aware of them can help us to fix them or get rid of them. They can be about anything from people, religion, politics or disabilities. Although everyone should be educated on implicit bias, it is extremely important for OT students and practitioners to be educated about it. Occupational therapists believe in occupational justice, or the idea that everyone should have equal opportunity to engage in meaningful occupations that play a part in their personal idenity. OTs also must have cultural-humility, or understanding that occupations are very different for people in different cultural contexts. We need to have cultural-humility and strive to keep learning about other cultures in order to be more client-centered. OT practitioners need to make sure that they are making a point in understanding their clients, in all cultures and walks of life, in order to give them the best care that they can.
There are things that you can do in order to bring your implicit bias to the forefront of your own minds. One thing that you can do is take the Project Implicit Social Attitudes survey. This will give you insight into your own implicit biases so that you can be aware of them and try to eliminate them.  Another thing to do is to keep learning. Learning about other people and cultures and not thinking we already know everything about everyone will allow us to decrease the amount of implicit biases we have. Lastly, it is important to have an open mind when addressing your implicit biases. It is important to understand that everyone has them, and it does not make you a terrible person if you realize you are thinking a certain way that may not be the right thing to think. But, it is important to realize that this is a bias that you have, and to work on learning more about that topic to eliminate that bias.
Overall in this sessions I learned a lot about myself. After taking the Project Implicit Social Attitudes survey, I was made aware of some of the implicit biases that I have. Also, after listening to the Seniors Flourish Podcast about OT Diversity, Inclusion, and Implicit Bias, I was able to self reflect about times I was bias to either a person or idea. Knowing this now, I will be able to go through OT school and practice aware of some of my implicit biases and help to eliminate them.