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		OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

		Occupational therapy is a part of the allied health profession that aims to restore either full or partial independence or self sufficiency in an individual with physical limitations and altered fine or gross motor skills. The aim of occupational therapy is to help a patients with both minor and major disabilities achieve some level of independence in their activities of daily living (ADL’s) e.g. transferring, toileting, dressing, self grooming, getting around and getting back to work. Occupational therapy preferentially utilizes purposeful physical activities and exercises that help to enhance the functional skills of a patient and help him/her adapt and adjust to the home and work environment in spite of their limitations. Occupational therapy is equally important in both children as well as adults. In the West, any child born prematurely or of low birth weight (less than 2.5 kgs) is referred to an occupational therapist soon after birth in order to be followed periodically to ensure identification of both cognitive and physical problems as early as possible, for which immediate therapeutic interventions can be suggested. An occupational therapist ascertains that such ‘at risk’ children do not lag too far behind in attainment of developmental milestones. Children who require the expertise of an occupational therapist include those with • Cerebral palsy • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) • Autism & other pervasive developmental disorders • Learning disabilities • Visual and hearing impairments • Mental retardation • Developmental delay • Down syndrome & other chromosomal disorders • Polio, muscular dystrophies & spinal muscular atrophy • Birth related nerve and plexus injuries The services provided by an occupation therapist for such children include • Attainment of motor and developmental milestones • Posture, positioning, trunk control and standing facilitation • Strengthening and balance exercises • ADL’s (feeding, dressing, grooming, bathing and toileting) • Improvement of both gross and fine motor skills • Improvement of cognitive skills and perception • Enhancement of concentration, attention span and memory • Writing and utensil holding skills • Sensory integration • Adaptive equipment design, adjustment and usage training Most of the above interventions also apply to adults with physical and cognitive limitations due to stroke, spinal cord injuries, head and/or limb injuries, muscular dystrophies and neuropathies. In addition, an occupational therapist provides the following condition-specific interventions • For those with rheumatologic disorders e.g. arthritis, a therapist suggests compensatory measures, work simplification techniques, energy conservation, safety awareness and fall prevention inside or outside home, home-based mobility and flexibility exercises & home surveys for adaptive changes • For cardiac patients, a therapist can help with strategies to increase endurance and stamina through conditioning exercises and home exercise programs • Vocational training for those with visual, hearing, neurological and orthopedic impairments is a major part of an occupational therapists duties. MAMC has exceptionally qualified and dedicated occupational therapy specialists ready to assess the your needs or those of your loved ones and help both in optimizing functional abilities and achieving self-sufficiency. For appointments, call 0092-21-4541281 – 4542685