What is occupational therapy?
Young or old, we all have a job to do the job of living. Learning, growing, playing, working and managing our homes are among the occupations of life. Physical, mental or emotional limitations caused by illness, injury, psychosocial problems or developmental delay, make it difficult for people to perform everyday tasks or be active and independent.
Occupational Therapy is a profession that utilizes science and the arts to address the occupation of daily living. An occupational therapist (OT) assists people in acquiring skills for the job of living necessary to live meaningful and satisfying lives. An OT uses meaningful and purposeful activity to elicit an adaptive response, thus minimizing dysfunction, increasing independence, improving daily function and creating a greater quality of life. An OT helps individuals by improving functional skills. These skills include, but are not limited to: self feeding, dressing, grooming, toileting, bathing, playing, working, meal preparation, caring for pets, caring for children, grocery shopping, maintaining safety, driving, etc.
Occupational therapy is a health profession in which the therapists are trained to improve a person’s occupational performance. A pediatric occupational therapist work with the child and family to improve a child’s play, education, or self-care skills such as feeding and dressing. An occupational therapist evaluates the child’s fine motor, sensory integration, visual perceptual and self-care care skills as well as range of motion, muscle tone, motor planning, functional communication and social adaptation. If the child and family would benefit from occupational therapy, the occupational therapist will recommend treatment and will utilize his or her knowledge in sensory integration, anatomy, neurology, kinesiology, child development, medical diagnosis and current research to improve the child’s occupational performance. The therapy sessions are generally fun for the child and a variety of activities may be adapted to address your child’s needs.
Occupational Therapy is a health care profession aimed at improving performance, preventing illness and disability, and promoting adaptation to life changes. In this interdisciplinary field, occupational therapists help people, including those with disabilities, live healthier, happier, and more productive lives.
