What is Occupational Therapy? And who can be benefited?

 

I know very little about Occupational Therapy.

What is OT? And who can be benefited?

Let us understand it on the eve of World Occupational Therapy Day.

Occupational Therapy Day was first launched on 27th October 2010. And to quote they say –“Our occupations or activities provided us with a role, routine and structure - and define who we are...”

Occupational therapy provides holistic, person-centred support to those whose health and/or wellbeing prevents them from doing the daily activities that matter to them.

OT patients may be dealing with a physically, developmentally, emotionally or mentally disabling condition (from strokes to attention deficit disorders). Occupational therapists use various treatments to help their patients maintain, recover or even develop their daily living and work skills, including (but not limited to) basic motor functions and even reasoning abilities.

The founding of the profession of occupational therapy in India & Asia came about from the very deep & personal feelings of Mrs. Kamla V. Nimbkar [nee Elizabeth Lundy] towards her adopted country, India.in 1950. Still many are not aware of such important paramedical services. Although Occupational Therapy may sound like some therapy which will take care of your Occupation or things related to Job, it covers a vast number of areas related to any human being.

 Occupational Therapy in India – The governing body is AIOTA refers to occupation as the things we do in our life roles, to be whom we are and to create meaning. OTs help people to develop or recover their abilities, by engaging in these meaningful activities, and to lead fulfilling lives.

Occupational Therapists serve all age groups and every condition/ pathology that may cause or pose a risk to limit "occupational" (human) performance. OTs has well-established clinical roles globally. Practice areas include-1.Children & Youth 2.Productive Aging 3.Mental Health 4.Rehabilitation, Disability & Participation 5.Work & Industry 6.Health & Wellness & 7.Community Based Rehabilitation

 The holistic healthcare status is lacking without mandatory inclusion of occupational therapy services. These occupation can include 1) Activities of daily living. (ADL) – Self-care activities such as showering, dressing, grooming and eating. 2) Household and community functioning- Home maintenance, driving, budgeting, shopping and community mobility. 3) Education – Activities which allow a person to participate effectively in a learning environment. 4) Leisure & Play – Social Participation. Interacting positively with others in the community. 5) Work – Participating in employment & work related Ergonomics. 6) Taking care of Geriatric Population.

Occupational therapist can help elderly people lead active and independent lives. Dementia, Alzimers or Parkinsons are some of the disease commonly found in elderly people. Elderly are prone to frequent accidents. They also face difficulties in personal relationships. In such situations, the Occupational Therapist helps that person to be free from these accidents through cognitive retraining activities and environmental modification.

When it comes to any neurological condition, the effect inflicted by stroke, brain injury and weakness of the nervous system upon a person and his family is very grave. The physical, intellectual, mental and emotional problems created by these diseases on the person, seriously affect the family and relatives. The ability of a person to do his job gets reduced and his financial liabilities get escalated. Occupational Therapist finds out the disabilities which stand as obstacles and prevent a person from engaging in his/her profession, daily activities and entertainments.

In India, 6.88% of the children in the age group 0-6 are estimated to be having physical, mental or intellectual problems. OT helps in diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity, Developmental Delay, Cerebral Palsy and All sensory Processing Issues. Such children can be helped or brought back to near normal life (completely/partly) through Occupational Therapy.

In musculoskeletal diseases (e.g. fractures and frozen shoulder) and post-surgical and burn conditions, Occupational Therapy is inevitable in making a person highly self-sufficient and thereby improve the quality of life.

Ergonomics is a branch of science which examines whether the relation between a person and his occupation is healthy, identifies the problem and suggests solution.

The occupational therapists in India are generally practicing in Government organizations / institutions / hospitals / projects, Non- government organizations, Private sectors like Acute care hospitals & nursing homes, Rehabilitation centres and clinics / centres (like developmental therapy clinics, neuro-rehabilitation facilities, de addiction centres etc.),Special schools, Main stream Schools, Chronic care facilities, Social agencies/Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) & Disaster Management Projects, Hospice care facilities Mental Health Setups /Institutions and Hospitals Industries Self employed

So the core aim of occupational therapists is to support patients, service users and clients to engage and participate in their own specific everyday occupations.  These could be related to work, productivity, leisure or social participation.

Lets Celebrate World Occupational Therapy Day. 27 th October.

By

Dr. Mona Shah

Occupational Therapist , Clinical Psychologist