OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
:
 Occupational therapy refers to the use of meaningful occupations to assist people who have difficulty in achieving occupationally balanced lives. Occupational therapists work with a variety of individuals who for whatever reason have difficulty in accessing or performing meaningful occupations.
Most commonly, Occupational Therapists work with people following mental or physical ill health or disability to enable them to maximize their skills and abilities. Occupational therapy gives people the "skills for the job of living" necessary for living meaningful 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
- Occupational therapy practitioners are skilled professionals whose education includes the study of human growth and development with specific emphasis on the physical, affective, cognitive and environmental components 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 (M.S. or MOT) or Doctoral degree (OTD). A certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) generally earns an associate degree.
- To become eligible for the national examination for certification, students must complete a minimum of two (three maximum) supervised clinical internships in physical disabilities, pediatrics or mental health. Many college programs encourage students to pursue a third internship in an area of OT of their choosing. Upon successful completion of at least two internships, graduates must pass a national examination (NBCOT or National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy). Most U.S. states also regulate occupational therapy practice (OTs must possess a license within their state).
Philosophy of occupational therapy :
- Occupational therapists focus on making independence a reality. While complete independence may not occur depending on the extent of the disability, occupational therapists will work with the patient or client to come up with strategies, techniques, or adaptations so that they can be as independent as possible. Occupational therapists use occupations to enable this. In the context of occupational therapy, occupation refers to meaningful activity. Occupational Therapy helps people to achieve independence in all areas of their lives
Benefits of occupational therapy :
A wide variety of people may benefit from occupational therapy, these may include people with:
- work-related injuries including lower back problems or repetitive strain injuries
- physical, cognitive or psychological limitations following a stroke, brain injury or heart attack
- rheumatoid and age-related conditions such as arthritis
- neurodegenerative movement disorders such as multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Parkinson's disease
- birth injuries, learning difficulties, or developmental disabilities
- mental health difficulties Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, ADHD and post-traumatic stress
- substance abuse problems or eating disorders
- Fetal alcohol syndrome due to central nervous system damage from prenatal alcohol exposure
- obsessive compulsions, or diagnosed obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- burns, spinal cord injuries, or amputations
- fractures or other injuries from falls, sports injuries, or accidents
- visual, perceptual or cognitive impairments
- developmental disabilities such as autism or cerebral palsy
- domestic abuse issues
- homelessness
- refugees and asylum seekers
- sensory processing disorders
Areas of occupational therapy
Occupational therapists work in a vast array of settings, these include:
- Orthopedics (outpatient clinics)
- Pediatrics
- Long-Term Care
- Hand therapy
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Burn Centers
- Rehabilitation centers (TBI, Stroke (CVA), spinal cord injuries, etc.)
- Hospitals (ranging from inpatient, subacute rehab, to outpatient clinics)
- Forensic units
- Homeless Shelters
- Refugee Camps
- Community Settings
- Industrial therapy (work hardening, work conditioning, job demand analysis)
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