Patients with low vision can experience difficulties with occupational performance.Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) play a crucial role in improving the lives of individuals with low vision. Low vision is characterized by visual deficits that cannot be fixed with glasses, contact lenses, or other standard treatments like medicine or surgery. In 2011, the AOTA referred to low vision rehabilitation as an emerging field for OTPs. Occupational therapy … [Read more...]
Occupational Therapy
Sensory Integration for Children with Autism: An Occupational Therapy Perspective
Occupational therapists strive to provide evidence-based practice to children with autism.How occupational therapists are changing the field of treating autism in children For this ideal to become a reality, dedicated researchers with experience in the field continually conduct studies to test, examine, and develop the best interventions for their clients. Roseann Schaaf, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is one of these researchers. As chair of the department of … [Read more...]
Assistive Tools in Pediatric Therapeutic Interventions
Occupational therapy practitioners play a vital role in helping children overcome challenges.Developmental delays in children can significantly impact their daily activities, communication, and overall quality of life. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 6 children in the United States has a developmental delay. Occupational therapy practitioners play a vital role in helping children overcome these challenges through various … [Read more...]
Ethical Decision Making in Occupational Therapy
Ethical decision making in Occupational Therapy.Ethics, or the study of standards of conduct and moral judgment, is part of the branch of philosophy referred to as moral philosophy. The study of ethics includes a “systematic study of rules of conduct that is grounded in philosophical principles and theory.” In laymen's terms, ethics is a set of standards of what is morally right and what is morally wrong. Recommended course: Ethics Issues and Decision … [Read more...]
Choosing a Telehealth Platform
Choosing a telehealth platform requires careful consideration.According to Smithsonian Magazine, the first telehealth platform, the Teledactyl, was imagined in 1925 by Hugh Gernsback. While the Teledactyl was never used for telemedicine, the COVID-19 public health emergency resulted in the widespread use of other platforms for telehealth. Many organizations have found telehealth to be a good fit for their providers and clients, prompting facilities to … [Read more...]
A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Dysphagia Therapy
Dysphagia can occur at any age and can present differently in clients based on the cause.Although eating can seem intuitive for most people, the actual act of eating is a surprisingly complex task. It requires multiple mechanical skills, including bringing food to the mouth, chewing, and swallowing. The process can present challenges for significant segments of the population. 1 in 6 adults can have difficulties swallowing food and liquid due to weak or … [Read more...]
An Occupational Therapist’s Guide to Community Fitness for Older Adults
Community fitness and the aging U.S. population.Nearly 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 every day. As the U.S. population grows older, access to quality wellness and physical fitness is a priority. Older adults are looking for fun, engaging programs that help them maintain their independence and optimal health. There is an increasing demand for skilled instructors in community fitness programs who have expertise in exercise, functional skills training and … [Read more...]
Managing Post-Stroke Incontinence
Post-stroke incontinence occurs when the forebrain is damaged - the forebrain is the largest part of the brain.According to the Stroke Association, about half of all stroke survivors admitted to the hospital experience incontinence. Incontinence after stroke alters the survivor’s ability to control their bladder and bowel functions. Incontinence severity varies from light leakage to complete bowel and bladder control loss. An interdisciplinary team … [Read more...]