Occupational Therapy

In occupational therapy people who are disabled are assessed, treated in a programme to enable their limited physical ability to become as independent and effective as possible at home, at work and in leisure. Occupational therapy performs important role in overall comprehensive health care and rehabilitation programmes for people with physical or psychosocial problems.

Occupational therapy is defined as the art and science of directing man's participation in selected tasks such as:

To restore, reinforce and enhance performance.
To facilitate learning of those skills and functions essential for adaptation and productivity.
To diminish or correct pathology.
To promote and maintain health and self care.

The therapists also prescribe aids and equipment which will enable a person to function better. Sometimes, it is important to help with mobility, especially to help the person get around his house and to proceed to go outside his home or to use a motorbike or bus.

Among the various occupational therapy training programmes include:

Activities of daily living like dressing, bathing and eating.
Community living skills such as shopping, banking and working on the job.
Advice on home modifications, making or acquiring aids, appliances and equipment to facilitate movement.
Mobility training with necessary aids like walking or using a wheelchair.
Advice on care of skin, bladder and bowel to avoid bedsores etc.
Assisting with training for a trade or specific job.
Counseling and recreational programmes.

The assessment ant treatment programme analyses the creative, recreational, vocational, social and self care activities of each individual disability. These activities are carefully selected, structures and adopted according to the specific needs and ability of the person. This would ensure that it helps them adapt ways and means of achieving the tasks and roles of physically able people.