|
Services
|
|
|
Occupational Therapy A Simple Guide for Parents Choosing a therapist is one of the most important decisions you can make for your child. What Can You Do? Look for early warning signs in your child's daily activities then consult with your child's doctor. Early intervention makes a difference in a child's ability to succeed. What is Therapy? Therapy is a part of an intervention plan that can help a child reach his/her potential for living and learning. Understanding Occupational Therapy Occupational therapy services focus on developing a child's ability to perform activities of daily life, such as bathing, dressing and feeding, by enhancing or restoring function that may have been lost due to trauma, disease, aging or congenital abnormality. The occupational therapist promotes muscle strength, coordination and joint movement needed for independence in self-care, work and play. In addition to dealing with the physical well-being of a child, the occupational therapist addresses psychological, social, emotional and environmental factors that are necessary for a child to grow and learn. Occupational therapy is a health and rehabilitation profession focused on helping people regain, develop and build skills that are important for independent functioning, health, well-being, security and happiness. Occupational therapy practitioners work with people of all ages who, because of illness, injury or developmental or psychological impairment, require specialized assistance to [re]learn skills that enable them to lead independent and productive lives. Occupational therapy is a major health service that can be used to manage pain, regain performance skills lost through injury, maximize independence, promote and maintain health, and prevent injury or disability. Who Needs Occupational Therapy? Occupational therapy is often necessary for persons who have had a stroke, arthritis, behavior problems, back injury, mental retardation, developmental delay, cerebral palsy, psychiatric disturbances or other conditions. Understand Occupational therapy is used to:
The Occupational Therapist The occupational therapist (or O.T.) who provides treatment is a professionally-trained specialist, a graduate of a college program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. Extensive supervised fieldwork provides occupational therapy students opportunities for both observation and broad clinical experience. Some occupational therapists hold master's and doctoral degrees and work as teachers, administrators, researchers or consultants. Some specialize in a specific area, such as mental health, pediatrics or aging. Occupational therapists who pass a national exam given by the national board certification on occupational therapy qualify to use the initials "OTR" after their name. Certified occupational therapy assistants sometimes are employed to provide certain aspects of treatment included in occupational therapy programs; they use the initials "COTA" after their name. Individualized Treatment Plans To plan a client's program, an occupational therapist evaluates a person's needs, abilities and interests using interviews, assessments and medical records. Treatment may cover one or more areas, ranging from muscle strengthening and self-care to social-emotional adjustment and use of adaptive equipment and splints. The first focus in therapy for a person with a disability is on performing daily activities, including dressing, grooming, bathing and eating. Then an emphasis is placed on family and home responsibilities, participating in education or seeking and maintaining employment. Therapy goals change as treatment progresses and programs are reevaluated. The occupational therapist consults and works very closely with a team that often includes a physician, other health care practitioners, the client and the client's family to set treatment objectives that are realistic and consistent with the client's needs. If you would like more information about occupational therapy for your child, please click here. |
|
|
