Mornings are tough for Joe. He has
cerebral palsy
, a condition that affects the
brain's
control over the
muscles
in his body. That means Joe has difficulty with balance. Getting
out of bed, brushing his teeth, and getting dressed are hard
work.
But Joe wants to do things for himself. And he hates it when
other people have to help. Fortunately, once a week Joe attends an
occupational therapy session. Joe's occupational therapist
helps him stay independent and do things on his own.
What Is Occupational Therapy?
Everyone has an occupation or job. A kid's occupation is to
grow
, learn, do schoolwork, and play. Occupational therapy (or OT)
helps kids who have a physical, sensory, or cognitive disability
carry out everyday activities like brushing their teeth or putting
on shoes and socks. Some occupational therapists help kids create
alternate ways to play popular games they might miss out on because
of their illness or injury. Many work with kids who need help with
their handwriting or in developing learning strategies to help them
remain focused in class and get their homework done.
Occupational therapy helps children with disabilities be as
independent as possible or aids a kid who's returning to school
after a long illness or severe injury. Some people say a physical
therapist will get you where you are going, but an occupational
therapist helps you out when you get there.
Who Needs It?
All sorts of kids see an occupational therapist. Most have
difficulty performing everyday activities like dressing, tying
shoes, feeding themselves, paying attention, writing, drawing, or
coloring in the lines.
Some kids with conditions like cerebral palsy (like Joe),
muscular dystrophy
, or
spina bifida
may need to use a wheelchair. An occupational therapist can help
kids in wheelchairs come up with a plan to go through the lunch
line, get stuff out of their school locker, and make it to class on
time. Occupational therapists also may help children with
autism
learn how to interact with others.
An occupational therapist also offers aids and equipment like
slings or splints to provide support to different parts of the
body. They can help you find devices that make things like opening
a jar, putting your shoes on, or taking a bath or shower
easier.
Visiting the Occupational Therapist
If you visit an occupational therapist, the therapist will
evaluate how well you can do certain activities compared with other
kids your age. The therapist may ask you to write the alphabet,
draw some shapes, play some games, tie your shoes, or squeeze a
special grip meter to measure how strong you are!
Some occupational therapists will come to your home to see how
you handle routine tasks like combing your hair or brushing your
teeth. Others will meet you at a hospital or clinic or sometimes
even in your school.
It's important to remember that OT is different for every
person. No two people are alike and no two treatments are the same
either.
Once the occupational therapist figures out what you want to
learn to do, he or she will come up with a plan. Often, that means
breaking an activity into several smaller parts, just like learning
a song note by note. For example, if you want to take a bath you
might first learn how to turn on the water, then adjust the
temperature, find the soap and towel, and finally, get into the
tub. Once the plan is made, then all it takes is practice,
practice, practice.
How Long Will My Treatment Last?
Because occupational therapy is unique to each person and every
kid learns at his or her own speed, treatment may last a short time
or a long time. Some kids find their needs change as they get older
or change schools. They return to the occupational therapist to
figure out new ways of coping with problems or to master a new
skill.
Kids can help speed up treatment by following the instructions
of their occupational therapist. It's important to work hard
and practice on your own. Some activities or exercises may look
weird but they all have a purpose. If you want to know why your
occupational therapist has you doing a specific action, ask,
"Why are we doing this, and how will it help me?"
And with time and lots of practice, you will see all that hard
work pay off.
Reviewed by:
Wendy Harron, BS, OTR/L
Date reviewed: November 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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