This overview of occupational therapy was developed by Karen Jacobs for the promOTing Occupational Therapy to rOTary initiative. Please learn more about this initative at promotingot.org at Facebook at promotingot and Twitter at @promotingot
Occupational therapy practitioners also advise people in home modification and in preventing falls, and help clients in wellness techniques that may prevent injury and disease.” They may assist with maintaining quality of life with low vision, keeping older drivers safe on the road, advising family members on taking care of their older relatives “As abilities and strength diminish, families and other caregivers must often help the older person obtain the assistance needed to maintain independence”. http://aota.org/Consumers/consumers/Health-and-Wellness/Diabetes/35106.aspx?FT=.pdf
“The overall goal of occupational therapy in mental health is to help people develop the skills and obtain the supports necessary for independent, interdependent, productive living. Particular emphasis is given to interventions that result in improved quality of life.” For example, occupational therapy practitioners teach and facilitate skills in assertiveness, problem solving, home and time management, stress management, activities of daily living and role development such as being a parent. http://aota.org/Consumers/consumers/MentalHealth/Community/35166.aspx
“With the help of occupational therapy, a child can learn to master day-to-day skills and be engaged at school and at home and is designed to help a student with a disability benefit from special education. We are currently volunteering at DISHA, a Resource Center for the disabled where we work along side the occupational therapist. We’ve seen many great things at DISHA, such as the therapist helping children improve a hyperactive child’s attention span and providing stretches and exercises to increase mobility of children with CP. While occupational therapists help those with disabilities, they also may assist a child in a general school who experiences some difficulties, such as poor hand writing. An occupational therapist would help implement a program to help this child as well.
Occupational therapy practitioners help people live healthy and meaningful lives. For example, we have strategies for staying safe and increasing comfort in daily life.
Occupational therapy practitioners help people recover from injury or illness to regain skills. With the help of occupational therapy, people can learn to manage the physical and psychological effects of an illness or injury and lead active and productive lives.
In the work and industry area, OTs can help with environmental adaptations to increase comfort and safety in the workplace, Some of these ideas can be important for you as design students. For example, for interior designers, you can think about the lighting in a room- is it adequate so that people can see all they need to without straining their eyes? Are tables and cupboards accessible to those who will use them? Could rugs potentially be a tripping hazard to someone? For fashion designers, if you design clothing for children, or for someone older who does not have as much fine motor control, keep in mind the size of buttons or the texture of fabrics that could help make things easier. Another important aspect of this part of occupational therapy is ergonomics. We will be going into detail about this in a few minutes, and will give you advice about your school and work environments..