Occupational therapy is a medical discipline that uses various types of activities for therapeutic purposes: for example, in order to restore lost skills or preserve them when a person goes through drastic changes, such as trauma, cognitive regression, disability, etc.
You have probably heard of occupational therapy or even considered visiting a doctor. However, there might be some burning questions left. Let’s answer them in a short Q&A.
Occupational therapy is a medical discipline that uses various types of activities for therapeutic reasons: for instance, to restore lost skills or preserve them when a person goes through drastic changes affecting their learning and performing abilities, such as trauma, cognitive regression, disability, etc.
Who Is an Occupational Therapist?
In our society, occupational therapists play a very important role. A specialist in occupational therapy is a doctor who supports people with disabilities, mental illness, injury, developmental issues.
If patients’ state of health interferes with their ability to live independently, occupational therapy encourages them to participate in everyday activities and helps them perform their daily tasks.
Who Are Patients of Occupational Therapy?
Doctors work with different population groups: for example, older people, patients with mental disabilities, children. It’s very common among occupational therapists to help families with bedridden patients, such as elderly with signs of cognitive impairment. Besides, many families raising children of different ages, from infants to teenagers, also receive expertise and assistance from occupational therapists.
What Do Occupational Therapists Do?
Usually, the task of an occupational therapist is to restore the patient’s skills lost due to aging, trauma, neurological or mental damage. However, pediatric occupational therapy is focused on developing important skills in children that they do not possess yet due to learning differences or other reasons.
What Is Pediatric Occupational Therapy?
Children’s social or cognitive development, as well as their daily performance, can be contravened because of their physical disorders, injuries, etc. In such cases, a child is recommended to visit an occupational therapist.
Pediatric occupational therapy is aimed at helping children grow as functional, independent citizens. By contributing to the development of appropriate skills, this medical discipline opens new possibilities for the younger people and ensures they have a bright future.