From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia.
Occupational therapy is
skilled treatment that helps
individuals achieve independence
in all facets of their lives. It
gives people the "skills for the
job of living" necessary for
independent and satisfying lives.
Services typically include:
- Customized treatment
programs to improve one's
ability to perform daily
activities
- Comprehensive home and job
site evaluations with adaptation
recommendations
- Performance skills
assessments and treatment
- Adaptive equipment
recommendations and usage
training
- Guidance to family members
and caregivers
Information from the American
Occupational Therapy
Association,Inc. 5/05
About occupational therapy
practitioners
Occupational therapy
practitioners are skilled
professionals whose education
includes the study of human growth
and development with specific
emphasis on the social, emotional,
and physiological effects of
illness and injury.
Most Registered Occupational
Therapists (OTR) practicing in the
field today possess a Bachelor of
Science degree in occupational
therapy. However, in recent years,
the entire profession has advanced
its educational standards to
post-professional levels. By 2007,
all OTRs will enter the field with
a Masters or Doctoral degree. The
Certified Occupational Therapy
Assistant (COTA) generally earns
an associate degree.
Practitioners must complete
supervised clinical internships in
a variety of health care settings,
and pass a national examination.
Most U.S. states also regulate
occupational therapy practice.
Who benefits from occupational
therapy?
A wide variety of people can
benefit from occupational therapy,
including those with:
- work-related injuries
including lower back problems or
repetitive stress injuries
- limitations following a
stroke or heart attack
-
arthritis,
multiple sclerosis, or other
serious chronic conditions
- birth injuries, learning
problems, or developmental
disabilities
- mental health or behavioral
problems including
Alzheimer's,
schizophrenia, and
post-traumatic stress
- problems with substance use
or eating disorders
- bad habits like nail biting
and hair pulling
- burns, spinal cord injuries,
or
amputations
- broken bones or other
injuries from falls, sports
injuries, or accidents
- vision or cognitive problems
that threaten their ability to
drive
Case studies: how occupational
therapy works
Every day, children and adults
have or develop health conditions
that significantly affect their
ability to manage their daily
lives. With the help of
occupational therapy, many of
these individuals can achieve or
regain a higher level of
independence. When skill and
strength cannot be developed or
improved, occupational therapy
offers creative solutions and
alternatives for carrying out
daily activities.
Alzheimer's disease
Art Anderson's family was not
surprised when the doctor
confirmed that his growing memory
problems were caused by
Alzheimer's disease. The primary
concern was the effect that Art's
care was having on his wife, who
was dealing with health problems
of her own. They found help in a
day care program for people with
Alzheimer's disease. Here Art
enjoys social interactions, meals,
and leisure activities designed
for people with his condition.
Art's wife Martha attends weekly
group meetings led by an
occupational therapist. Martha
learns to help her husband to
participate as much as possible in
the family's routine and how to
manage the many tasks that make up
her "job of living."
Additional occupational therapy
services that may be indicated for
Alzheimer's Disease patients
include an assesment of the home
environment. This results in
detailed modifications to improve
safety, item locations and
labeling to enhance Art's
independance, and suggestions to
make Martha's increasing
caregiving tasks more manageable.
Occupational therapy adaptations
promote efficient completion of
Art and Martha's "activities of
daily living" and predict and
prepare for the patient's
functional decline.
Stroke
Helen Richards is a publishing
executive, respected for her
business skills and admired for
her perfect grooming. Three months
ago Helen had a stroke. During her
recovery she had to relearn many
things, but her first goal was to
face the world with her hair and
make up in place. Helen's
occupational therapist understood.
Together they found the right
combination of tools and
techniques so that Helen could
handle her personal grooming. They
also worked on the other tasks she
would need to manage her home and
return to work. From make-up to
management, occupational therapy
helped Helen recover the skills
she needed.
Developmental problems
Tommy weighed just three pounds
at birth. Doctors warned his
parents to be on the lookout for
problems that might affect his
development. In the hospital
nursery, an occupational therapist
helped ensure that Tommy was
taking in enough nourishment. As a
toddler, Tommy attended a Head
Start program where
occupational therapists and
occupational therapy assistants
provided activities to aid his
physical and mental development.
For youngsters like Tommy, the
"job of living" requires basic
skills such as eating, playing,
and interacting successfully with
family members and friends.
