What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy is a specialist health profession providing direct services to people of all ages who require support in increasing, maintaining and preventing loss of independence in all aspects of daily life.
Occupational Therapy involves the “therapeutic use of work, self-care and play activities to increase independent function, enhance development and prevent disability. It may include adaptation of task or environment to achieve maximum independence and to enhance quality of life”
What is an Occupational Therapist?
Occupational therapists are concerned with everything a person does from morning to night, a Therapist will observe and discus everyday tasks, to identify areas of difficulty. Occupational Therapists use skills of analysis to identify the root cause of functional difficulties. This may be, sensory, physical, emotional, environmental or social.
An Occupational Therapist may:
- Provide advice on equipment to increase or aid functional independence.
- Provide advice on adapting the environment to enable independent access of mobility.
- Educate carers on how to support, encourage or assist a loved one in managing their lives to their maximum ability, with independence and dignity.
- Select activities to address underlying difficulties and create and implement specialist programmes or rehabilitation packages.
- Provide direct treatment to help develop skills and independence
What is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist?
Using purposeful activity and play a Children’s Occupational Therapist works with the Child to help him or her attain the highest possible quality of life. The Occupational Therapist assesses the child and uses therapeutic techniques and activities to help maximise the child’s abilities and independence. The assessment and therapeutic treatment techniques vary according to the needs of the child.
A Paediatric Occupational Therapist has specialist knowledge and experience in working with children with special needs and co-ordination difficulties.
A Paediatric Occupational Therapist has undertaken specialist training in areas of sensory and motor development and understands the importance of maintaining and developing self -esteem and confidence in a child who may struggle to function as independently or effectively as his/her peers.
By using fun, education and play in an environment designed to capture and motivate a child, the Paediatric Occupational Therapist provides the child with sensory and motor experiences required to develop foundation skills and achieve success.