Occupational Therapy: The Definitive Guide to Understanding the Specialty

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Occupational therapists help people recover from injury or illness. They work closely with physicians and health care providers to develop individualized treatment plans to address specific needs. Therapy may include activities such as exercise, massage, speech therapy, sensory integration, play therapy, and music therapy. Occupational therapists often work with children and adults who have developmental disabilities (such as autism), brain damage, stroke, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, cancer, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Physical therapy focuses on mobility issues, whereas occupational therapy aims to treat the entire body. Although both focus on mobility, physical therapy tends to be focused on treating injuries and chronic conditions, whereas occupational therapy seeks to help people who suffer from mental health disorders.

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a branch of physical medicine and rehabilitation that helps patients with injuries or disabilities regain function and independence through therapeutic exercise, education, and job training. OTs work closely with physicians, nurses, therapists, and other health care providers to develop individualized treatment plans that address the patient’s needs. They also educate patients about their conditions so they can make informed decisions regarding their healthcare.

Occupational therapists work closely with patients to help them improve their abilities through various activities such as physical, social, emotional, educational, recreational, or vocational skills. They may provide one-on-one sessions, group counseling, or family support services. A full range of therapies is provided including assistive technology, adaptive equipment, sensory integration, and environmental modifications.

How is it Used?

Occupational therapy can follow someone throughout their life, from early stages of child development all the way to old age. It can help people with injuries that left them impaired and people who have life-long illnesses or disabilities such as autism, arthritis, or depression.

Who Needs Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is a field of practice that helps people to improve their quality of life by helping them to achieve optimal function and participation in the activities they value. It can help you or your loved one with:

ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, eating disorders, learning disabilities, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and schizophrenia.

Occupational Therapy for Children

Children can have a wide range of physical and mental health conditions that require treatment. Therapy helps these kids develop better movement patterns, learn new ways to interact with others, and improve their ability to complete daily tasks independently. Therapists often focus on developing the abilities needed to perform routine tasks such as eating, walking, bathing, grooming, toileting, dressing, and communicating. These therapists provide services to children with a wide range of disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), cerebral palsy (CP), vision impairment, hearing loss, intellectual disability, and traumatic brain injury.

Occupational Therapy for Adults

An OT can assist adults in living their full lives even with a disability, injury, or impairment. Services include achieving goals and staying healthy and productive. They also encourage maintaining or rebuilding independence and participating in everyday activities again.

An occupational therapist (OT) can work with people to improve their ability to perform daily activities such as dressing, bathing, eating, grooming, toileting, and transferring. A person’s home environment can also impact his/her ability to live independently. For example, if someone lives alone, he/she might not be able to bathe himself without assistance. In addition, if a person lives in a noisy neighborhood, he/she might find it difficult to communicate effectively with others. An OT can teach individuals to adapt to these challenges so that they can continue living in their own homes.

All of these patients share one thing in common—their goals and their treatments are customized to them. Occupational therapists help people of all age groups learn to live fuller lives by providing personalized services.

What Skills Does an Occupational Therapist Need?

Occupational therapists are trained to help people with a variety of disabilities. They work in hospitals, schools and other health care facilities, as well as at home. Their job is to develop individualized treatment plans for patients that will improve their quality of life.

The following list includes some of the skills required by occupational therapists:

Communication skills – An occupational therapist must be able to listen carefully to what a patient says and write down exactly what was said. He/she should also be able to explain things clearly to patients and caregivers.

Problem solving skills – An occupational therapist needs to think creatively about how to solve problems. This means being able to come up with solutions that are appropriate to each situation.

Adaptive equipment – An occupational therapist may need to design special equipment to help a patient accomplish certain tasks. For example, a wheelchair-bound patient might need a lift chair to get into bed.

Adaptation – An occupational therapist must know how to make adjustments to a patient’s environment to accommodate his/her limitations. For instance, a patient who cannot walk might need a ramp to enter a building.

Education – An occupational therapist must understand how to educate patients and families about their condition and how to manage it.

Physical therapy – An occupational therapist must have knowledge of physical therapy techniques and exercises.

How Is an Occupational Therapist Trained?

Most occupational therapists receive training through a four-year bachelor’s degree program. Students study basic sciences like anatomy, physiology, chemistry, physics, psychology, biology, and mathematics. They also take courses on human development, communication disorders, and gerontology.

After completing college, students usually attend graduate school. Some programs require two years of coursework while others allow students to complete their degrees in three years. Graduates typically earn a master’s degree or doctorate.

A Master’s Degree Program

An associate’s degree in occupational therapy is available from many community colleges. These programs prepare students to become licensed practical nurses (LPN). LPNs provide direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses.

An undergraduate degree in occupational therapy prepares graduates to work in a wide range of settings including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, rehabilitation centers, and private practice.

Doctoral Programs

Doctorates in occupational therapy are offered by universities throughout the United States. A doctoral program requires a minimum of five years of coursework followed by a dissertation. Most programs include coursework in clinical research, education, management, and leadership.

Licensure Requirements

To become certified as an occupational therapist, candidates must pass national licensing exams. In addition, they must obtain state licenses. Licensing requirements vary depending on where you live.

When Can You Stop Occupational Therapy Treatment?

The answer to this question is different for each person. Some people will be able to stop occupational therapy treatment after a few sessions, while others may need more time. The length of time that it takes to recover from an injury varies greatly depending on the type and severity of your condition. It’s important to remember that you are not alone in this process. Your therapist can help you determine when you should stop treatment.

What Are the Different Types of Occupational Therapy?

There are several types of occupational therapy. Each type focuses on helping individuals with specific disabilities. Here are some examples:

Assistive technology – This type of therapy helps patients use assistive devices such as wheelchairs, crutches, and other mobility aids.

Cognitive behavioral therapy – Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches patients how to change negative thoughts into positive ones.

Craniosacral therapy – Craniosacral therapy uses gentle touch to treat conditions like migraines, neck pain, and back pain.

Dietary therapy – Dietary therapy helps patients eat healthy foods so they don’t get sick.

Ergonomic design – Ergonomic design helps workers avoid repetitive motion injuries.

Functional electrical stimulation – Functional electrical stimulation helps patients who have trouble walking.

Hearing aid fitting – Hearing aid fittings teach patients how to adjust hearing aids to improve their quality of life.

Home health aide services – Home health aides help patients at home.

Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization – Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization treats musculoskeletal problems like carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, and shoulder impingement.

Kinesiotape – Kinesiotape is used to treat sports injuries.

Manual therapy – Manual therapy helps patients strengthen muscles and joints.

Massage therapy – Massage therapists use massage techniques to relieve stress and tension.

Orthotics – Orthotic technicians fit custom-made orthoses to patients who have foot or leg problems.

Physical medicine and rehabilitation – Physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors diagnose and treat medical conditions that affect the body. They also provide physical therapy treatments.

Prosthetics – Prosthetic technicians make prostheses (artificial limbs) for patients who have lost limbs due to amputation.

Rehabilitation counseling – Rehabilitation counselors work with patients who have experienced a stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, or other disability. Counselors help them learn new ways to cope with their situation.

Respiratory care – Respiratory therapists help patients breathe better by teaching them breathing exercises and using equipment to help them take deep breaths.

Sensory integration – Sensory integration therapists help children with autism spectrum disorders develop social skills.

Speech pathology – Speech pathologists evaluate speech and language abilities and help patients communicate effectively.

Speech therapy – Speech therapists teach patients how to speak clearly and fluently.

Sports medicine – Sports medicine specialists treat athletes who have suffered a concussion or other injury during a game or practice.

Tailored exercise programs – Tailored exercise programs help patients perform daily activities without injuring themselves.

Therapy dogs – Therapy dogs visit nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and other places where people are recovering from illness or surgery.

Transitional housing – Transitional housing provides temporary living arrangements for homeless individuals as they prepare to move out of shelters or transitional housing facilities.

Vestibular rehabilitation – Vestibular rehabilitation helps patients recover from dizziness caused by inner ear damage.

Wound management – Wound management professionals assess wounds and recommend treatment options.

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Kristen Luft is a digital marketer working on health-centered blog posts for Wellistic. When she's not writing, you can find her reading, snuggling her greyhound or chihuahua, or following the latest trends on Instagram.

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