Occupational therapy, often abbreviated OT, is the use of treatments to develop, recover, or maintain the daily living and work skills of people with a physical, mental or developmental condition. Occupational therapy is a client-centered practice that places a premium on the progress towards the client’s goals.Occupational therapy interventions focus on adapting the environment, modifying the task, teaching the skill, and educating the client/family in order to increase participation in and performance of daily activities, particularly those that are meaningful to the client.
It is a profession concerned with promoting health and well-being through occupation. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by enabling people to do things that will enhance their ability to participate or by modifying the environment to better support participation.
Jason, 10, was left with a brain injury after a bicycle accident. To improve some of his cognitive (thinking) skills, comprehension skills, and coordination, Jason's doctors recommended that he receive occupational therapy (OT).
At first, his parents were doubtful that OT could benefit their son and wondered if it was more appropriate for adults. But after watching the activities and seeing Jason's improvements, they felt hopeful that Jason was on the road to recovery.
Occupational therapy treatment focuses on helping people achieve independence in all areas of their lives. OT can help kids with various needs improve their cognitive, physical, and motor skills and enhance their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment.
Some people may think that occupational therapy is only for adults; kids, after all, do not have occupations. But a child's main job is playing and learning, and occupational therapists can evaluate kids' skills for playing, school performance, and daily activities and compare them with what is developmentally appropriate for that age group.
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), in addition to dealing with an someone's physical well-being, OT practitioners address psychological, social, and environmental factors that can affect functioning in different ways. This approach makes OT a vital part of health care for some kids.
Occupational therapists deliver evidence- based interventions aiming to enable individuals to undertake the activities that are important to them in their daily lives.
Being aware of the value of the importance of research as the basis of the profession's evidence base is a key requirement within the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct .(-See more at: http://www.cot.co.uk/occupational-therapy-evidence-fact-sheets#sthash.NwfpD6jC.dpuf)
Early therapy
The earliest evidence of using occupations as a method of therapy can be found in ancient times. In c. 100 BCE, Greek physician Asclepiades initiated humane treatment of patients with mental illness using therapeutic baths, massage, exercise, and music. Later, the Roman Celsus prescribed music, travel, conversation and exercise to his patients. However by medieval times the use of these strategies with people considered to be insane was rare, if not nonexistent.
In 18th-century Europe, revolutionaries such as Philippe Pinel and Johann Christian Reil reformed the hospital system. Instead of the use of metal chains and restraints, their institutions utilized rigorous work and leisure activities in the late 18th century. This was the era of Moral Treatment, developed in Europe during the Age of Enlightenment, where the roots of occupational therapy lie. Although it was thriving abroad, interest in the reform movement waxed and waned in the United States throughout the 19th century. It re-emerged in the early decades of the 20th century as Occupational Therapy.
The Arts and Crafts movement that flourished between 1860 and 1910 also impacted occupational therapy. In a recently industrialized society, the arts and crafts societies emerged against the monotony and lost autonomy of factory work . Arts and crafts were utilized as a way of promoting learning through doing and provided an outlet for creative energy and a way of avoiding the boredom that was associated with long hospital stays, both for mental illness and for tuberculosis.
It is a profession concerned with promoting health and well-being through occupation. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by enabling people to do things that will enhance their ability to participate or by modifying the environment to better support participation.
Jason, 10, was left with a brain injury after a bicycle accident. To improve some of his cognitive (thinking) skills, comprehension skills, and coordination, Jason's doctors recommended that he receive occupational therapy (OT).
At first, his parents were doubtful that OT could benefit their son and wondered if it was more appropriate for adults. But after watching the activities and seeing Jason's improvements, they felt hopeful that Jason was on the road to recovery.
Occupational therapy treatment focuses on helping people achieve independence in all areas of their lives. OT can help kids with various needs improve their cognitive, physical, and motor skills and enhance their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment.
Some people may think that occupational therapy is only for adults; kids, after all, do not have occupations. But a child's main job is playing and learning, and occupational therapists can evaluate kids' skills for playing, school performance, and daily activities and compare them with what is developmentally appropriate for that age group.
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), in addition to dealing with an someone's physical well-being, OT practitioners address psychological, social, and environmental factors that can affect functioning in different ways. This approach makes OT a vital part of health care for some kids.
Occupational therapists deliver evidence- based interventions aiming to enable individuals to undertake the activities that are important to them in their daily lives.
Being aware of the value of the importance of research as the basis of the profession's evidence base is a key requirement within the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct .(-See more at: http://www.cot.co.uk/occupational-therapy-evidence-fact-sheets#sthash.NwfpD6jC.dpuf)
Early therapy
The earliest evidence of using occupations as a method of therapy can be found in ancient times. In c. 100 BCE, Greek physician Asclepiades initiated humane treatment of patients with mental illness using therapeutic baths, massage, exercise, and music. Later, the Roman Celsus prescribed music, travel, conversation and exercise to his patients. However by medieval times the use of these strategies with people considered to be insane was rare, if not nonexistent.
In 18th-century Europe, revolutionaries such as Philippe Pinel and Johann Christian Reil reformed the hospital system. Instead of the use of metal chains and restraints, their institutions utilized rigorous work and leisure activities in the late 18th century. This was the era of Moral Treatment, developed in Europe during the Age of Enlightenment, where the roots of occupational therapy lie. Although it was thriving abroad, interest in the reform movement waxed and waned in the United States throughout the 19th century. It re-emerged in the early decades of the 20th century as Occupational Therapy.
The Arts and Crafts movement that flourished between 1860 and 1910 also impacted occupational therapy. In a recently industrialized society, the arts and crafts societies emerged against the monotony and lost autonomy of factory work . Arts and crafts were utilized as a way of promoting learning through doing and provided an outlet for creative energy and a way of avoiding the boredom that was associated with long hospital stays, both for mental illness and for tuberculosis.
Occupational therapist receives NHS Heroes award
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Submitted by Allegra on Fri, 23/08/2013 - 09:34
Claire Ginty, Children’s Occupational Therapist, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, has received an "NHS Heroes" award from NHS Chief Executive, Sir David Nicholson.
NHS Heroes is a national scheme set up by the Department of Health to recognise the great work that individuals and teams do every day in the NHS, celebrating the health service staff who go the extra mile to ensure every patient receives the very best care.
Claire, who is based in Huntingdon, was nominated by several families whose children are under her care.
One of Claire’s nominations reads: “Claire is always so helpful and always happy to offer support and advice. Her knowledge is always impressive and very reassuring. Claire is kind, hard working and has a great sense of humour. Whatever concerns I have she always find a solution and makes me feel less anxious.”
Another read: “I have nominated Claire because she goes above and beyond her duty of care. She has supported us and advised us through a difficult time and always with a smile on her face. Nothing is ever too much and has helped us get everything we possibly can in place for my son at home and at school.”
On receiving her award Claire said: “It is lovely to be recognised for the work which I have undertaken, and I thank the families who have taken their time to put these nominations forward.
“I always aim to provide the families I work with, with the best possible care. These nominations have demonstrated that I am doing this, and gives me pride in my profession as an Children's Occupational Therapist and the practice I undertake.”
Matthew Winn, Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, said: “It is clear from all the nominations Claire has received that she has made a real difference to all the families she provides care to.
“The Trust employs over 3,600 people, who are all trying to make a difference to people’s lives. With an organisation so large it can be difficult for members of the public to show their appreciation for the care they have received - NHS Heroes is their chance to do this.”
Congratulations to Claire!
To find out more about NHS Heroes, or to nominate someone for the award, visit the NHS Heroes website.
Photo:
- See more at: http://www.cot.co.uk/news/occupational-therapist-receives-nhs-heroes-award#sthash.n77yRTrz.dpuf
Claire Ginty, Children’s Occupational Therapist, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, has received an "NHS Heroes" award from NHS Chief Executive, Sir David Nicholson.
NHS Heroes is a national scheme set up by the Department of Health to recognise the great work that individuals and teams do every day in the NHS, celebrating the health service staff who go the extra mile to ensure every patient receives the very best care.
Claire, who is based in Huntingdon, was nominated by several families whose children are under her care.
One of Claire’s nominations reads: “Claire is always so helpful and always happy to offer support and advice. Her knowledge is always impressive and very reassuring. Claire is kind, hard working and has a great sense of humour. Whatever concerns I have she always find a solution and makes me feel less anxious.”
Another read: “I have nominated Claire because she goes above and beyond her duty of care. She has supported us and advised us through a difficult time and always with a smile on her face. Nothing is ever too much and has helped us get everything we possibly can in place for my son at home and at school.”
On receiving her award Claire said: “It is lovely to be recognised for the work which I have undertaken, and I thank the families who have taken their time to put these nominations forward.
“I always aim to provide the families I work with, with the best possible care. These nominations have demonstrated that I am doing this, and gives me pride in my profession as an Children's Occupational Therapist and the practice I undertake.”
Matthew Winn, Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, said: “It is clear from all the nominations Claire has received that she has made a real difference to all the families she provides care to.
“The Trust employs over 3,600 people, who are all trying to make a difference to people’s lives. With an organisation so large it can be difficult for members of the public to show their appreciation for the care they have received - NHS Heroes is their chance to do this.”
Congratulations to Claire!
To find out more about NHS Heroes, or to nominate someone for the award, visit the NHS Heroes website.
Photo:
- See more at: http://www.cot.co.uk/news/occupational-therapist-receives-nhs-heroes-award#sthash.n77yRTrz.dpuf