If your loved one is currently dealing with physical, sensory, or cognitive issues, you’re probably constantly searching for any solution that can help. Sometimes, such issues can be difficult to treat, and it can often seem like you’ve tried everything but nothing has worked. Occupational therapists are professionals specially trained in dealing with these types of conditions so if you haven’t already, it could be worth exploring this option.
If this is something you’re considering, it can help to learn a little bit more about what is an occupational therapist, and what they do. If you’d like to find out, read on now.
What Do Occupational Therapists Do?
Occupational therapy (or OT) is a type of treatment that aims to help improve motor skills, balance, and coordination. Usually, patients of occupational therapists are children or teens, as this is when treatment can be more effective. That said, it’s a type of therapy that’s open to people of all ages.
During the course of occupational therapy, the therapist will first look at the patient’s situation: their skills, and the challenges they face. OT is a highly personalized type of treatment, as everyone’s issues will be different.
Once the therapist has spent some time with the patient, they’ll be able to create a program of exercises and activities that are tailored to that person’s needs and designed to help in areas where improvement is needed. There are many great reasons to see an occupational therapist.
- To Improve Their Social Skills
Often, people who have developmental disorders face social challenges as well as physical or mental ones. If your child finds it difficult to fit in with other kids, this can be damaging to their self-esteem and cause feelings of isolation or loneliness. But it’s not an issue that can’t be fixed.
OT can help kids to overcome challenges with adapting to new environments, engaging socially, and getting on with others. Everyone wants their kids to have a rich social life, and OT can help to make that happen.
- To Develop their Fine and Gross Motor Skills
Fine motor skills refer to small movements made with body parts such as the fingers, toes, and tongue. Gross motor skills involve larger muscles like the ones that move and coordinate our arms, legs, and other body parts. When a person has developmental delays or certain conditions, both of these types of skills can be affected.
OT helps to develop these skills. If your child has trouble with things like holding a pencil in the correct way, using their knife and fork to eat, or dressing themselves, then sessions with an occupational therapist can help.
- To Overcome Learning Challenges
In the past, children with ADHD, autism, or behavioral issues were often dismissed as being “problematic” in educational settings or thought to be too difficult to teach. We know now that these are valid conditions that need special attention and care. One of the biggest benefits of OT is that it has the ability to help kids with these kinds of issues to be able to survive and thrive in educational environments.
Occupational Therapists Can Help
Occupational therapists do some of the most important work there is, helping kids who have faced setbacks in life to fulfill their full potential. We hope this article has shed some light on occupational therapy and who it can help. If you’re looking for more advice on conquering challenges, check out the rest of our site now.
