Occupational Therapy
Summit Occupational Therapy
Why Choose Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is an often overlooked, necessary profession that has the power to change lives. The occupational therapy goals are many and varied; they include increasing independence, improving sensory-motor skills, and reducing disabilities.
Occupational therapy is often recommended when children need physical, cognitive, or sensory enhancements. Occupational therapists work with individuals of all ages in various settings, including schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and group homes.
Occupational Therapy for Adults
Occupational therapists help adults with a wide range of conditions, from stroke survivors to elderly people who need assistance with daily tasks.
A person’s occupation is often the best judge for whether they will need occupational therapy. This can be done by assessing a person’s strength, coordination, dexterity, and cognitive skills. Occupational therapists work closely with other healthcare professionals such as physical therapists and speech-language pathologists to provide the best care possible for an individual.
Therapy is typically centered around different goals, which may include regaining independence following an injury or illness, coping with stressors in everyday life, or adjusting to changes that come along with aging or disability.
Occupational Therapy for Kids
Occupational therapists who work with children focus on cognitive, motor, and sensory skills. The occupational therapist will try to identify which developmental milestone is most challenging for the child. Occupational therapists can serve as consultants to teachers and parents or provide therapy sessions in the classroom.
One of occupational therapy’s main concerns is early intervention with young children experiencing delays in their development. Studies have shown that occupational therapy helps improve preschoolers’ expressive language, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, quality of life, dexterity, and attention span later in elementary school.
The Benefits Of Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy provides significant advantages for children to ensure that they are capable of living on their own. If parents or teachers want their child to be able to accomplish tasks more independently, they should seek advice from an occupational therapist. Not only will this assist the youngster in growing, but it will also teach parents how to collaborate with their youngster at home.
- birth injuries or birth defects
- sensory processing disorders
- traumatic injuries (brain or spinal cord)
- learning problems
- autism/pervasive developmental disorders
- behavioral problems
- developmental delays
- post-surgical hand conditions
- spina bifida
- cerebral palsy and other chronic illnesses
What Can Be Accomplished Through OT
- Fine motor development is essential to grasp and release toys and enhance good penmanship skills effectively.
- Addressing hand-eye coordination (hitting a target or ball, copying from a blackboard, etc.)
- learning basic tasks (bathing, getting dressed, brushing teeth, and feeding themselves)
- Using positive outlets to deal with anger, such as writing about feelings or participating in a physical activity.
- Improving attention and social skills to allow the development of interpersonal relationships.