I spoke with Occupational Therapist Irna Beckham, who has been working in OT for 27 years, about the basics of OT. Here are some questions and answers from that conversation:
Q. What is OT?
A. Occupational Therapy is a field in which we learn to take care of ourselves. From the time we are babies, we are continually learning skills and gaining the ability to take care of ourselves through personal hygiene, dressing, and other activities of daily life. If we have an impairment, we need to compensate. An Occupational Therapist focuses on a person’s abilities, and can help a person improve the functional components of their activities and provide exercises and ways to compensate for impairments.
Q. What made you want to get into OT?
A. My whole family was in education and some older cousins went into nursing. My cousin showed me the world of therapy. I love the aspect of helping people throughout their lifespan and solving the puzzles to help people get their individual needs met.
Q. What kinds of issues are treated in OT?
A. Many different kinds of issues can be treated with OT. An OT might assist a person with an injury through strength-building exercises, a person with developmental delays get to the next developmental stage, a person with limited hand strength to write or pinch utensils, a person with a physical disability learn to use assistive devices, or a person who has had a stroke with neuromuscular reeducation. An OT can work with people with sensory issues as well.
Q. What would you like for people to know about Occupational Therapy?
A. I’ve sometimes felt that not enough people know about the field of therapy or the many benefits it can provide. I’d like to spread the word and let people know we are here to help.
Comentarios