This is a form of therapy that helps you when doing things for yourself becomes difficult because of conditions like disability, disease, or injury, for example, stroke. It shows that you can look after yourself and have ways to do them easier and less painful in your daily life. Your therapist or speech pathologist will help you use tools and machines to work, school, or live again.
Who is an occupational therapist?
An Occupational Therapist is a healthcare provider who assists the disabled and public in society to deal with the handicap one has in terms of physical or mental aspects one is undergoing by performing their normal chores. OTs work with people from all walks of life helping those individuals with impairments that hinder them from carrying out their ADL such as eating, getting dressed walking, attending school, or going to places. Therefore, some OTs may be practicing their profession in a hospital, a clinic, or a rehab center whereas others are allowed to visit their client’s homes even at workplaces.
Pediatric occupational therapist
A pediatric OT is a therapist who provides services to children who have physical or developmental disabilities. They assist children to gain or rebuild their capabilities to achieve their goals in school, sports, and other activities. The purpose is to assist children in meeting their developmental tasks and increase their degree of self-reliance.
All pediatric OTs are certified in occupational therapy. They also have expertise in child development. Some of the pediatric OTs can work within the homes of their patients.
Comparison between Physical and Occupational Therapy
Physical and occupational therapy are two types of intervention that are used to help people regain certain functions that they may have lost or teach them how to perform new tasks that they had not been able to do in the past.
Unlike physical rehabilitation which deals with movement and pain reduction while looking at one’s performance of particular tasks in his/her daily living, occupational therapy does not consider such things but rather focuses on the way someone conducts activities in his life.
It also enables the learner to learn how to deal with changes in skill and ability. They will be able to show you how a walker, a teacher, or a pencil grip can be used for instance. The therapy aims to assist you in decreasing your need.
What does an Occupational Therapist do?
They will also visit your place of work, home, and school to understand how change can be made to enhance your accessibility and safety. The OT will then discuss with you to formulate a therapy plan and goals that have to be achieved depending on your condition, strength, and things that you are unable to do. The therapist will show you new ways how to dress, eat, take a shower, and work. So find a Speech Pathologist ASAP and relax from your pain.
What is the duration of study to become an occupational therapist
A person is supposed to have a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) although one has to get a license to practice occupational therapy in his or her country. It is also important to note that some OTs may have a special interest in certain conditions or types of therapy including hand therapy, vision therapy, paediatrics, etc
Occupational Therapy Examples
Daily activities such as,
- Button up a shirt or tie the shoes
- Move in and out of the shower or bath
- Work at your computer
- Eat without help
- Do some laundry or clean the house Dabei guidelines to follow during the activity include.
- Help to build good hand-eye coordination so that you can do things such as hitting a tennis ball.
Conclusion
This involves engaging children and adults who have an injury or health issue that makes it difficult for them to perform certain tasks at work. It is not the same as physical therapy which is concerned with muscle treatment. It enables you to be independent by practicing all the skills that you may need in your daily life.
