From 3 to 63 - Why You May Need an OT
So you’ve never heard of occupational therapy, and you’re trying to understand what exactly an occupational therapist might do and how they help people. Many people think an occupational therapist is someone who coaches and guides in career fields. While that is certainly a beneficial service, occupational therapy is far from that.
What We Really Do
Occupational therapists work one-on-one or in groups with a focus on occupations. Occupations are the things you do on a day-to-day basis. For children, this may involve development of gross and fine motor skills, play individually and with others, academics, and learning life and social skills. Daily occupations for adults may involve the simplest of things as getting dressed, brushing your teeth, making meals, and laundry to more complex tasks such as work, driving, financial management, and caring for others.
An occupational therapist works with a variety of individuals spanning the life span. This includes, but is not limited to, children with developmental delays, adults with chronic health conditions, anyone recovering from an injury/illness, and anyone seeking prevention and wellness in their daily routine to maintain a healthy and balanced life.
When working with an occupational therapist, together you collaborate and focus on the things you do on a day-to-day basis with the goal of establishing independence and function in desired and meaningful activities. Here are a few examples of what this may look like:
3 year old child. Parents have been noticing their child seems to have poor balance, incoordination, difficulty holding crayons to color, difficult time transitioning from one activity to the next, and avoids touching or eating foods of various textures.
An initial evaluation will be conducted to assess fine and gross motor skills as well as interview the parent/caregiver for specific information regarding daily routine, habits, sensory preferences, and child and family interests.
Establishment of goals addressing findings from the evaluation to improve the child’s engagement and independence with age specific skills.
Intervention:
Play therapy addressing fine and gross motor skills with instruction and education to parents/caregivers to implement techniques at home to increase carry over of skills and continued development.
Visual aids/visual schedules to assist child’s understanding and decrease anxiety associated with transitions between activities. i.e “At home with mommy and daddy” →”Get in the car”→”Go to daycare”→”Play with other kids and have fun”→”Mommy and daddy come back”→”Get in the car again”→”Eat dinner at home”→”Take a bath”→”Read a book”→”Go to sleep”.
Sensory integration to habituate the nervous system in incremental and tolerable steps to decrease anxiety/fear associated with textures of items and food. I.e drawing with fingers in shaving cream, role play with baby doll with feeding, texture identification with play.
40 year old adult with chronic pain and fatigue. This individual has found it difficult to complete daily activities due to fatigue and is no longer engaging in social events causing decrease in moral. This individual has consulted with their doctor and was found to have decreased function of their thyroid gland and is on medication but wants natural approaches to improve function as well.
An initial evaluation will be conducted to assess physical and emotional characteristics as well as an interview for specific information regarding daily routine, habits, roles, and interests.
Establishment of goals addressing findings from the evaluation to decrease pain and fatigue for the engagement in desired and meaningful activities.
Intervention:
Aromatherapy and essential oils specific to diagnosis.
Nutrition guidance to enhance physical function for optimal energy/nutrient absorption to carry out daily tasks.
Guided imagery and meditation to increase conscious awareness of physical capabilities and decrease pain response by limiting neuronal firing in the somatosensory cortex of the brain.
Acupressure and myofascial release of soft tissues.
Somatic movements and education for daily at home practice for pain management.
Strengthening for optimal physical function.
Energy conservation and work simplification strategies.
Any age adult who wants to implement healthy habits and routines into their daily life to prevent and minimize the risk of illness and injury.
An initial evaluation will be conducted to assess physical, cognitive, and emotional characteristics as well as an interview for specific information regarding daily routine, habits, roles, and interests.
Establishment of goals addressing findings from the evaluation to improve and maintain the individuals physical, cognitive, and emotional characteristics for the engagement in desired and meaningful activities.
Intervention:
Nutrition guidance to enhance physical function for optimal energy/nutrient absorption to carry out daily tasks.
Aromatherapy and essential oils for specific physical needs and to enhance sensory systems and mood.
Daily exercise program: strengthening, balance and coordination. Introduction of yoga, tai chi.
Postural exercises to decrease risk of deformed postures that come with aging which can lead to pain and decreased functional mobility.
Guidance and support for engagement in or establishment of meaningful activities.
If you or someone you know may benefit from Occupational Therapy or if you have more questions regarding this type of health service, please contact Brooke Williams for a phone screening.
Brooke Williams, OTR/L
Phone 913-608- 9515
E-mail BrookeW.resolve@gmail.com
