Occupational therapy helps to solve the problems that interfere with your ability to do the things that are important to you in ever area of your life.
It can also prevent a problem or minimize its effects. When an injury, illness, disability or other problem limits your ability to:
then you may want to learn some new skills for the job of living from an occupational therapist. Occupational therapists believe that occupations/avocations (activities) describe who you are and how you feel about yourself.
Some therapies will have you "cry it out", others will have you "talk it out", OT encourages you to "do-it out". If you are unable to do the things you want, or need to do, to live and enjoy your life, your general well-being and mental health may be affected.
OT's assist every population, but our mental health work with children and young adults is groundbreaking. In many states Occupational Therapists are recognized as QMHP or qualified mental health providers.
OT's use a knowledge base that is one of the most diversified in the medical community. OT's are educated in neurology, anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, child development, psychology, psycosocial development, activity-task analysis and many therapeutic techniques. Trained to treat clients holistically, addressing cognitive, emotional and physical needs via functional, activity-based treatment.
Occupational therapists are experts in therapy, mental health and rehabilitation, recognized by government and consumers for evaluating and promoting performance in daily occupations.
Occupational therapy is a health profession concerned with promoting health and well-being through occupation. Occupation refers to everything that people do during the course of everyday life. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the occupations which give meaning and purpose to their lives.
Occupational therapists have a broad education that provides equips them with the skills and knowledge to work collaboratively with people of all ages and abilities that experience obstacles to participation.
These obstacles may result from a change in function (thinking, doing, feeling) because of illness or disability,and/or barriers in the social, institutional or and physical environment (Adapted from the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, 2004).
Occupational therapists use a systematic approach based on evidence and professional reasoning to enable individuals, groups and communities to develop the means and opportunities to identify, engage in and improve their function in the occupations of life. The process involves assessment, intervention and evaluation of the client related to occupational performance in self-care, work, study, volunteerism and leisure.
Occupational therapists may assume different roles such as advising on health risks in the workplace, safe driving for older adults, and programs to promote mental health for youth. Occupational therapists also perform functions as manager, researcher, program developer or educator in addition to the direct delivery of professional services.
Occupational therapists are generally employed in community agencies, health care organizations such as hospitals, chronic care facilities, rehabilitation centers and clinics, schools; social agencies industry or are self-employed. Some occupational therapists specialize in working with a specific age group or disability such as arthritis, developmental coordination disorder, mental illness, or spinal cord injury. Occupational Therapists provide a new and innovative way at looking at human mental health; Mental Health At Work.
Occupational therapy works to break down the barriers which impede individuals in their everyday activities. Occupational therapists examine not only the physical effects of an injury or disease, but also address the psycho-social, community and environmental factors that influence function.
To begin, an occupational therapist will try to find out why you cannot do what you would like or need to do…
Depending on your situation, an occupational therapists may check:
Depending on what the problem is, the occupational therapist can help you to solve it by:
1. helping you overcome your disability
2. adapting the material or equipment you use, or
3. recommending changes to the environments where you do your occupations
Many occupational therapists also work to prevent injuries by using strategies #2 (adapting the material or equipment you use) and #3 (recommending changes to the environments where you do your occupations).
1. Adapting the Materials You Use
The occupational therapist may adapt the materials you use in the occupations you want to do by making or recommending:
A. Changes in the things you use around the house
- large push buttons on your telephone
- can opener that can be used with only one hand
- special key holder to make turning keys easier
B. Changes in the things you use in sports leisure, or recreation
- a playing cards holder
- a grasping cuff to help you hold a pool cue or a racquet
- a knitting needle holder
- wrist stabilizer
C. Changes in the things you use at work or school
- a special chair to help you sit up straight
- self-opening scissors
- special hammers and other tools that are easier to use and prevent injury to hands and back
- writing boards to help keep paper still
D. Changes in the things you use to take care of yourself
- clothes with velcro ties
- equipment that helps you put on your socks or stockings
- built up handles on toothbrushes, forks, spoons, or knives to help you hold them
- special bath or toilet seats
- long handled and curved brushes for hair and bath
E. Changes in the things you use to get from place to place
- recommend wheelchairs
- special seating and positioning for chairs to help sit right
- car modifications such as one-handed steering wheels or hand operated accelerators/brakes
- bicycles/tricycles modifications such as foot straps for pedals or seat support
2. Recommending Changes to the Environments Where You Do Your Occupations
A. Recommending changes to the physical layout of your work place, home, or school. Some examples:
- wheelchair ramps
- widening doorways
- lowering/raising desk tops, counter tops, or cupboards
- reorganization of living space
B. Recommending and finding out about the support in your community
- self-help groups
- community recreational programs
- specialized public transportation
- funding agencies for transportation needs, special equipment such as wheelchairs, bath seats, or specialized computer equipment
C. Working with the people in your community by
- providing education about a mental, emotional or physical disability to the family, teachers, parish members, employers, or employees
D. Working with the government to encourage people to stay healthy
- request funding for special equipment
- request funding for programs such as exercise programs for Seniors, or a work training program for people with physical or mental disabilities
- respond to legislation that may affect your health care