Occupational therapy is a skilled health care profession aimed to help the person to engage in all activities which is essential in day to day life and to promote independence in every stage of life. It is designed to help the person to complete his / her self-help skill and activities of daily routines. Occupational therapist assesses an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional health to identify barriers that prevent them from participating fully in life. Based on the findings, the therapist will develop personalized interventions to support the individual’s goals.
It involves,
- Therapeutic Exercise: Strengthening muscles, improving flexibility, or retraining motor skills to aid movement.
- Developmental therapy: facilitate to achieve age appropriate milestone developments through activities, play, standardized approaches and techniques.
- Sensory Integration therapy: training for sensory dysfunction issues.
- ADL Skill Training: Facilitate functional independency in activities of daily living, work and leisure through transitional activities.
- Assistive Devices: Guiding / suggesting aids and appliances such as splints, mobility aids, or adapted technology to enhance functioning.
- Environmental Modifications: Environmental adaptations to make more accessible, safe, and supportive.
- Education and Training: Creating awareness on “abilities, disabilities and the needed adaptations” of a person with disability among family members
Who Can Benefit:
Occupational therapy supports individuals across a wide range of conditions and life stages:
- Children: Children with developmental delays, autism, ADHD, or learning disabilities can benefit from OT to develop fine and gross motor skills, social skills, and independence in school and at home.
- Adults: Whether recovering from surgery, managing chronic conditions like arthritis, or adjusting to a disability, adults can receive OT to regain independence and improve quality of life.
- Seniors: Older adults facing physical or cognitive decline due to aging or conditions such as dementia or stroke can work with an occupational therapist to maintain or improve their functional abilities and remain safe at home.