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Occupational therapy focuses on improving people’s ability to perform the tasks that they need to do in their everyday life. However, these types of therapy are different. People often confuse occupational therapy and physical therapy because specialists in both areas work with similar groups of people and offer practical support. They may also suggest changes to the treatment plan at this stage, if necessary.
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They will ask how the person is doing in terms of achieving their goals. The OT will usually assess the person’s progress after a few weeks or months. They may recommend special equipment, such as eating aids or a wheelchair, and help people learn to use it. Once the OT has a clear idea of the person’s circumstances and goals, they will use that information to develop a treatment plan. The OT might also evaluate the person’s home, school, or workplace to see whether they can spot any ways to improve them.įor example, they may suggest labeling the kitchen cabinets of older people with memory loss or installing a handrail in the bathroom for people who find it hard to move around. They may then ask to watch the person carry out certain tasks. However, the therapist will usually begin by reviewing the person’s medical history and asking them some questions about what they do in their day-to-day lives. How they do this will very much depend on the person and their needs.
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Most occupational therapists will have a master’s degree in the subject, and all must receive a license to operate.ĭuring an occupational therapy appointment, the OT will want to evaluate the person’s abilities and goals. The others work in schools, nursing homes, or health services. check to see whether the person is meeting their goals and make any necessary changes to the planĪbout half of the OTs in the United States work in specialist centers or hospitals.design a custom intervention, or plan, that will help the person perform their everyday activities and reach their goals.work with the person and their family to identify their goals.helping people with disabilities take part in social situations, hobbies, or sportsĪccording to the American Occupational Therapy Association, therapists will:.helping children with disabilities fully participate in school.helping people experiencing changes in how they think or remember things to carry on working.helping people going through physical changes to carry on working.OTs work with lots of people of all ages. Their work centers on adapting a person’s environment so that it better suits them and the things they want and need to do. Occupational therapists (OTs) offer practical advice and support to help people carry out their daily activities.
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