What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy (OT) is a health profession which promotes health and well-being by helping people to engage in daily activities and their profession. Occupational therapy is a type of rehabilitation therapy recommended for patients with conditions affecting the upper and lower extremities. The main goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life.
What is the role of an occupational therapist?
Occupational therapists, also called OT’s, are individuals who are trained in the practice of occupational therapy. The role of an occupational therapist is to work with individuals who suffer from mental, physical, developmental, social or emotional disabilities and improve their ability to perform daily activities. This is accomplished through training, exercise, education, and home modifications to encourage an independent lifestyle.
Occupational therapists work in the following settings:
- Private practice
- Special schools
- Rehabilitation centers
- Mental health facilities
Who needs occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy can benefit almost every individual having any of the below mentioned conditions:
- Work related injuries including lower back problems
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures or other injuries from sports or accidents
- Mental health or behavioral problems and learning disabilities
- Limitations following a stroke or heart attack
- Wound scars and burns
- Birth injuries or birth defects
- Injured nerves
- Post-surgical conditions
What is the need for occupational therapy in children?
Occupational therapy is for both adults and children. Occupational therapists evaluate skills in children for playing, functioning in school, and performing daily activities and develop a customized plan for intervention to meet specific goals. Occupational therapy helps children develop fine motor skills and educates family members about safe and effective methods to care for their child. Occupational therapists work with individuals suffering from various conditions including birth defects, orthopedic injuries, and mental health or behavioral problems. Occupational therapy can help improve a child’s cognitive and physical abilities while enhancing their self- esteem and sense of accomplishment. Occupational therapist helps to improve a child’s development and performance and allows children to regain function.
Occupational therapists help children with:
- Severe developmental delays
- Behavioral disorders
- Physical disabilities
For more info, please call 727-298-5230