Occupational therapy
is a form of therapy included in the healthcare profession where
individuals are helped to overcome or to manage their physical,
adaptive, cognitive, and sensory disabilities. It uses certain
interventions and assessments to develop a therapeutic environment for
the child or the adult.
Occupational therapy is designed in a way where activities are created
by keeping in mind their use in real-life settings. It doesn’t work like
the other therapies where the therapist and client sit face-to-face and
discuss real-life situations. Instead, it takes place in a room that is
designed with some equipment that is of use for the therapy, and
children or individuals are made to perform the activity by making use
of this equipment.
The book by Brown, Stoffel, and Munoz (2019), Occupational Therapy in
Mental Health: A Vision for Participation, focuses on the transformative
role of occupational therapy in enhancing mental health outcomes. It
illustrates how designated interventions support meaningful
participation in daily activities, which is essential for improving
emotional prosperity, self-esteem, and social integration. By addressing
boundaries to engagement and emphasizing on client-focused techniques,
the book features the significant effect of occupational therapy in
cultivating resilience and recovery for people facing mental health
difficulties.
WHO IS AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST?
An occupational therapist (an OT ) is a person who can help to
maintain, regain, or improve independence in work and daily activities
by using different techniques and equipment. OTs work with people of all
ages and social groups. He is a trained professional who received a
Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy. They can further go for
Master s degree where they are specialized in specific areas like
pediatrics/injuries/education, etc. After completing their Master’s
degree, The All India Occupational Therapists Association in India
considers OTists as doctors.
The OT will ask about daily activities and structure therapies in that
way so that one can function effectively and confidently. An
occupational therapist works systematically with a client through a
sequence of actions called the occupational therapy process. All
practice frameworks include the components of evaluation (or
assessment), intervention, and outcomes. This process provides a
framework through which occupational therapists assist and contribute to
promoting health and ensures structure and consistency among
therapists.
A study was conducted by Ashburner, Ziviani, and Rodger (2010) which
states the effectiveness of occupational therapy in assisting children
dealing with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) succeed in mainstream
educational conditions. Published in Research in Autism Spectrum
Disorders, the study features how occupational treatment tends sensory
processing troubles, upgrades emotional and behavioral regulation, and
elevates adaptive techniques to enhance performance in academics. By
tailoring interventions to individual needs, occupational therapy
enables children with ASD to explore the difficulties of mainstream
classrooms, encouraging their cooperation, learning, and overall
integration in inclusive educational settings.
WHAT DOES OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DO?
Occupational Therapy is done on both children and adults who lack in
their occupation, e.g., a kid’s occupation is to study and do his
day-to-day activities normally. But, if they lag in these activities,
occupational therapy can help.
With OT, individuals can:
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Develop fine motor skills so they can grasp and release toys and
develop good handwriting or computer skills.
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Improve eye–hand coordination so they can play and do needed school
skills such as batting a ball and copying from a blackboard.
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Master basic life skills such as bathing, getting dressed, brushing
teeth, and self-feeding.
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Learn positive behaviors and social skills by practicing how they
manage frustration and
anger
.
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Get special equipment to help build their independence. These
include wheelchairs, splints, bathing equipment, dressing devices,
and communication aids.
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OT can help with reducing hyperactivity among kids and also
increase their sitting tendency.
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It can help with sensory needs among Autism kids as it also
includes sensory integration activities.
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It can help with socializing among individuals who face difficulty
mixing with other people.
Occupational Therapy has been seen to work majorly with children
diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder as children get the space to
manage their sensory needs and also learn to respond to name-calling and
maintain eye contact. OT creates a set-up keeping in mind all that is
required for individuals to learn so that they don’t face many
difficulties in real-life settings.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PHYSIOTHERAPY AND OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY?
Both physiotherapists and occupational therapists are allied health
professionals. Both of the professions include knowledge and
understanding of the muscular-skeletal system and the impact this has on
function. However, Physiotherapy is a more medical model, where
outcome-based measurements are used to determine the success of
treatment. Occupational therapy, on the other hand, focuses on the link
between the malfunction of component parts and the effect that has on
the whole person. Occupational Therapists have a greater understanding
of the link between mind, body, and soul. For example, they understand
that although dysfunction of one part of the body may impact a person’s
ability to complete everyday activities, it may also impact a person’s
role, e.g. their ability to be a wife, mother, employed person, etc. By
treating the whole person, OTs seek to improve quality of life and
enable people to engage in those meaningful activities (occupations)
which are important to them.
A Rehabilitation Psychologist focuses on treating individuals dealing with
disabilities, injuries, or chronic health issues. They help patients manage
emotional, cognitive, and behavioral challenges, promoting independence and
improved quality of life. If you're recovering from a life-altering condition
or injury, a
Rehabilitation Psychologist
can be a vital part of your healing journey.
For disabilities included in ASD,
ADHD, and Developmental delays it is advised to go to occupational
therapists as they are better trained in working with problems of daily
life. However, where physical delays like balancing, walking,
maintaining postures, etc. are the concern, physiotherapists may be more
helpful as they are trained in body-movement activities.
WHY IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IMPORTANT?
Occupational Therapy is beneficial in the following ways:
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It improves an individual’s independence, as it designs activities
keeping daily tasks in mind.
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It enhances strength and endurance for functional tasks because it
focuses on physical activities and focuses on bodily movements using
tools like a balancing board, swings, chairs, tables, etc.
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It can also work on functional cognition and visual deficits by
making use of activities where eye-hand coordination and making use
of objects is required along with tools that enhance vision.
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Occupational Therapists are great at caregiver training as they are
experts in helping individuals and caregivers figure out how to live
life after change by making them understand what changes can be done
to live better even after injury or any disability.
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They are experts in adaptive equipment and home modifications as
they know what tools to be used to make the changes.