What Is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is a branch of medical care that assists people of all ages with various physical, sensory, and cognitive impairments. OT helps them regain self-sufficiency in all areas of their life. Occupational therapists help children play safely, improve their school performance, and helps them with their everyday activities. The most common conditions treated by OT include carpal tunnel syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, osteoarthritis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, Lupus, and autism. As more Americans are becoming involved in the medical industry, there has been a growing demand for Occupational therapists.

Occupational therapists use several methods to assess a patient’s needs. To start, they will conduct a thorough physical examination to determine the severity of the condition. They will also perform tests such as blood tests and neurological tests. A complete physical examination and tests like x-rays and MRIs will tell the Occupational Therapy Adelaide if it requires further evaluation and treatment. In some instances, Occupational therapists will try to locate the cause of the problem to design an effective treatment plan.

occupational-therapy-adelaideOccupational therapy also helps individuals develop fine motor skills. Fine motor skills refer to those bodily movements that allow an individual to manipulate things such as utensils, toys, and small parts of furniture. Individuals with sensory processing disorders will need to work with an Occupational therapist to develop fine motor skills.

Occupational therapists may recommend physical therapy to treat the sensory processing issues of a patient. These include everything from crutches to hearing aids. This therapy aims to help the person get the most out of life without having to always rely on other people. Occupational Therapy Adelaide may refer their clients to physical therapists, dietitians, and psychologists in cases where their clients have sensory issues that make it difficult for them to perform ordinary everyday tasks.

Occupational therapists can work with patients who have severe sensory processing issues or cerebral palsy. Both of these conditions require the assistance of an occupational therapist for the person to achieve self-help skills. Suppose a patient is experiencing sensory issues that affect their ability to move or do simple bathing or eating activities. In that case, an occupational therapist will recommend exercises for them to perform to strengthen their muscles. In some cases, when the person is unable to perform such things as bathing, eating, or brushing their teeth, the therapist will recommend unique products and services to improve their self-help skills.

An occupational therapist will also provide advice to individuals who have cerebral palsy. Some people with this disability have difficulty walking and must depend on other people for moving from one room to another. In addition to receiving advice on how to bathe or eat, they will also receive unique products and services to improve their self-help skills. These professionals can often refer their clients to speech therapists and occupational therapists in cases where their sensory issues are more advanced.

Individuals with chronic illnesses or diseases that affect their ability to walk, talk, swallow, or control themselves may also benefit from therapy. In some cases, they can be referred to physical therapists or orthopaedic specialists to develop fine motor skills or use crutches. In other cases, they can be referred to physical therapists who can teach them how to perform activities that strengthen their muscles. They can also be referred to therapists who can guide them to perform activities that develop fine motor skills. These professionals can even provide instruction on activities that help them improve their balance.

Occupational therapists are trained to handle various clients and work with individuals who have processing or sensory processing disorders. They can work with people with developmental disabilities or individuals with sensory issues that involve blindness, deafness, autism, cerebral palsy, developmental dyslexia, irritability, obesity, stress disorders, heart disease, stroke, or trauma. If you or someone you know needs to see an occupational therapist, then the first step to finding one is to learn about the different types of available professionals. By doing so, you will be able to make the right choice when it comes to choosing an occupational therapist who is right for you.