The Role Of The Occupational Therapy In Special Needs

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What Is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is a component of rehabilitation. To simplify, it enhances one’s ability to do basic self-care activities, useful work, and leisure activities. These activities include basic daily activities (such as eating, dressing, bathing, grooming, toileting, and transferring), task-oriented activities (such as preparing meals, using a telephone or computer, managing finances or the daily drug regimen, shopping, and driving), and also some office work.

Children may benefit from occupational therapy in a number of ways, including:

  • Improved fine motor skills
  • Improved coordination
  • Improved mental and physical development
  • Improved social skills and relationships
  • Improved independence and self-confident

Before Starting Occupational Therapy

They will observe and evaluate the person by tests and communicate with the person’s other healthcare practitioners, caregivers, or core family members. 

Sensory profiles, motor and process skill assessments, the developmental test of visual perception, sensory integration and praxis tests (SIPT), and other tests are available.

They also watch the person do a certain task in a natural setting and try to figure out what is wrong with their social and physical environment. 

What Typically Goes On During Therapy Sessions?

  • Tear paper into strips.
  • Use tweezers to pick up small objects, such as buttons or beads.
  • Use a hole punch to create designs on paper.
  • Put a puzzle together.
  • Drop coins into a piggy bank.
  • Use toothpicks to pick up small pieces of food.
  • Place fun stickers on the paper.
  • Draw with chalk on the sidewalk.

How Does It Help Special Needs?

Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD):

In a 2016 study, the authors found that through implementing culinary lessons, people with ASD can improve their activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and prevocational skills to support future employment. Through those lessons, they will have the opportunity to explore future careers and develop friendships with peers who have similar interests and targets.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):

Occupational therapists can help people with ADHD organize their physical environments, such as their belongings, homes, and workplaces, to support their daily functions. They help to establish behavioural change by creating structure and routines to maintain organizations. For example, having a good sleeping and working routine.

Cerebral Palsy(CP)

Occupational therapists could help the parents design occupational therapy home programs to help the children with severe CP with their gross motor function.

Down Syndrome

In special-needs schools, occupational therapists will assist them in learning to paint. keyboard, and cutting.  Therapists will modify the physical environment in which the children are in to optimize their performance, for example, by adjusting the height of the desk.

The Next Step

It is advisable for parents with special-needs children to start physical and occupational therapy as early as possible if there are needs. Many studies show that continuous and routine physical and occupational therapy in their early life will help in their self-care and then build their confidence in encountering challenges in life.

So, visit our site today, and share your concerns and what you’re seeing. Welcome to Dawn Bridge. We’re thrilled that you’ve joined us on this journey.

References:

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