fundamentals
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Introduction
Occupational therapy, a component of Overview of Rehabilitation , is intended to enhance a person's ability to do basic self-care activities, useful work, and leisure activities. These activities include basic daily activities (such as eating, dressing, bathing, grooming, going to the toilet, and transferring—for example, from a chair to the toilet or bed) and more complex daily activities (such as preparing meals, using a telephone or computer, managing finances or the daily medication regimen, shopping, and driving). Occupational therapy focuses on the coordination of many abilities required for even simple activities: The ability to feel and move The ability to create and execute a plan The ability to want to do the activity and to persevere until it is completed These abilities can be impaired in many ways. Occupational therapists may detect impairments by observing the person, by doing specific tests (such as balance tests), and by talking with other health care professionals, family members, or caregivers. Therapists assess needs by observing the person doing an activity in a natural environment. They try to identify potential problems with the social and physical environment. They evaluate the home for hazards, which may interfere with the person's ability to do an activity. They may then recommend ways to make the home safer. For example, they may recommend using brighter lighting, removing electrical cords that cross areas where people walk, or securing cords to the floor. Therapists also evaluate the support family members and other people are willing to provide. Specially trained therapists may evaluate the person's ability to drive to determine whether driver retraining is needed (see ). Occupational therapists focus on helping people do specific daily activities that have become difficult to do because of a disorder or injury. Many specialized devices, such as grabbers and large-handled utensils and tools, are available to help people function. People with impairments work with the occupational therapist to determine and prioritize goals and to select appropriate techniques and activities. For example, if people have difficulty eating with utensils, therapy may include activities that develop fine motor skills, such as inserting pegs on a peg board. A memory game may improve recognition and recall. Adaptive techniques can help people use their strengths to compensate for impairments. For example, a person with a paralyzed arm can learn new ways to dress, tie shoes, and fasten buttons. Activities are made more challenging as people improve. 