Occupational Therapy

through Life Span

Health Promotion
The path to health and well-being is
linked to the daily occupations (activities) in which we choose to

participate.

World Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or sickness (WHO, 1948). The WHO measures health based on the ability of a person to participate in life.

OT Focuses
Occupational therapy is a profession that focus on enabling clients to maximize their capacity to participate

in life activities that are important and

meaningful to them.

How to promote health ?

By helping clients adapt and organize their daily occupations or activities related to self-care, home management, community participation, education, work and/or leisure into daily routines to prevent and minimize dysfunction, promote and develop a healthy lifestyle, and facilitate adaptation and recovery from injury, disease, or developmental challenges (problems).

Example 1
A person who enjoyed gardening but gave up this meaningful activity due to back pain may experience improved well being if he can continue through adaptations such as: Raised gardens (pots), or long handled tools to minimize strain on the back. Teaching someone to change positions frequently and to limit their time per day in the garden might be an alternate approach to improved ones health.

Example 2
An OT working with a client with diabetes
may teach techniques to monitor skin integrity and avoid skin breakdown, assist in establishing a daily meal intake schedule for proper nutrition, and assist him in locating an accessible community exercise program.

Occupational Therapy for Young Children

Birth Through 5 Years of Age

Occupational Therapists
Support and promote the development and engagement of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, and their families, in everyday activities : ex: play, rest, sleep, study, and social participation(family, peers).

Occupational therapy is concerned with

A childs ability to participate in daily life activities or occupations. OT design interventions that promote healthy development, establish needed skills, and modify environments to prevent further disability, all in support of participation in daily activities. OT plays a key role in advising parents about their childrens problems and the developmental diversity in health and learning needs.

Why
So that together they can plan to prevent, promote, work on finding solutions or alternatives for the time being and future, concerning:
Playing, eating, sitting, bathing, showering, schooling, wheelchair choosing, brothers and sisters, family members ....

Infants & toddlers problems

Developmental delays,
Feeding problems,

Learning disabilities,
Coordination & self care skills,

Behaviour and social skills,

Communication,..

Occupational Therapists
DO NOT: Treat the diagnoses BUT Work with the child & his family to help the child to function at the highest possible level & actively participate in his occupations.

Occupational Therapist
Intervention is to facilitate development Close the Gap Through using
Developmental frame of reference to evaluate the child ? How do you as a PT evaluate the childs ability? (relate age and abilities)

relate age and abilities

The OT intervention
Mainly playful, it targets behavioural regulations, feeding techniques, motor skills development, & sensory integration..
Might require splinting, (sleeping, sitting, eating, bathing) positioning, toys adaption,...

Occupational Therapy With Children and Youth

OT work with children, youth, and their families to promote active participation in activities or occupations that are meaningful to them. For children and youth, occupations are activities that enable them to learn and develop life skills (e.g., school activities), be creative and/or derive enjoyment (e.g., play with mates..), and be independent (e.g., self-care and care for others)

Intervention with children and youth

Recommended interventions are based on an understanding of development and the impact of disability, illness, and impairment on the

individual childs development, play, learning,

and overall occupational performance.

Developmental needs
The primary occupations of young children are play and interacting with family. Occupational therapists evaluate childrens development and provide intervention to improve skills and/or modify environments when concerns arise about a childs functional performance.

Some examples
facilitating movement to help a child sit independently or crawl; helping a child learn to follow 2- or 3-step instructions; helping a child develop the ability to dress independently; helping a child learn to cope with disappointment or failure; reducing environmental noise for a child who is easily distracted; building skills for sharing, taking turns, and playing with peers; and helping a child develop the ability to use toys and materials in both traditional and creative manners.

Educational Needs
OT work with students in preschool, and elementary, middle, and high school to: Support: learning, appropriate behaviour, and participation in daily school activities.

At school
OT collaborate with teachers, and
parents, on ways to support student

learning throughout the school

environment.

OT Role
Fine motor and manipulation kills/handwriting Upper body strengthening to improve posture, reaching coordination Sensorimotor activities to improve balance, coordination, body awareness, attention and

focus ...

OT Role
Neurondevelopmental techniques to improve movement patterns, head control, & maneuver in movement (back to side..) Adaptations and activities for feeding, dressing & grooming skills Assistive technology (laptops,..) and adaptive equipment needed to help in being independent in ADL (as much as possible)

Adolescence & development

Characteristics: Independent from family & sense of self Focus on group peer Imitation, clothes, singers, identity.. Team activities social skills Marriage and work

Intervention
Through group work New image and identity Building trust Emotional feelings and confusion Choice of activities Hobbies & skills activities Work related activities Finally a job !!!!

Later adulthood over 65 years of age

Many physical changes occurs Jobless Hobby less Family problems Loss of spouse, or peers Dependent on Grandchildren (????? ) Struggle with physical declines..

OT intervention
Compensate for lack of function Adapt and/ or modify activities (tools/place) Home safety tips Compensation technique (prioritize, resting.. ) Technical aids Home adaptations (technical aids, )

Summary
When conducting evaluation and intervention: we need to consider AGE !!!! We vary in age development but almost the same for all unless we have a turning point for different reasons We need to understand the developmental tasks over the life span, cz it provides insight into the occupations associated with the period in a persons life.

What is the aim of this toy ?