Occupational therapy is a therapy used to develop, strengthen, recover, or maintain the skills needed for activities (occupations). But how does OT help accomplish this?
Creating an Occupational Therapy Plan
Every patient has different needs when they start OT. Two people with the same surface-level physical issue may require totally different types of OT to reach their goal.
Occupational therapy involves evaluations, interventions, plans, and therapy to implement goals based on individual patient needs.
Occupational Therapy Evaluations
OT evaluations can take place based on patient-scheduled appointments or visits prescribed by a doctor. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), the OT evaluation process focuses on a few things:
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What a patient wants or needs to do
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Determining what a patient can do or has done
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Identifying barriers & supports to health, participation, and well-being
During an evaluation, occupational therapists will analyze the occupational performance of a patient and create an occupational profile.
Occupational Therapy Interventions
An OT intervention typically goes into effect after an initial OT evaluation. Intervention plans are designed by OTs to encourage patient engagement with occupations in order to achieve a goal set by the OT evaluation.
The AOTA lists the most common types of interventions as:
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Occupation & activity interventions used to support occupational engagement.
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Intervention support occupations, which are used to prepare a patient for a given occupation.
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Education & training interventions used to inform the patient of why a step or method is crucial for occupational goals
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Advocacy interventions used to empower patients to independently seek knowledge
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Group interventions, which are used to develop social OT needs based on participation
Charlin Health Services
At Charlin Health Services, we pride ourselves on honor, integrity, excellence, compassion, dignity, and trust. If you have any needs or questions about health services, hospice care, or other medical needs, please send us an email or give us a call.
About Our Occupational Therapy Expert
Kathy Luongo is an Occupational Therapist at Charlin Health Services. With over 25 years of experience as an OT, Kathy has worked with clients in California and Texas. Her experience spans most areas of OT–from the NICU to in-home care.
Kathy obtained her BBA in marketing from Loyola Marymount University, College of Business Administration. This was shortly followed by a post-baccalaureate in occupational therapy.
Kathy has also served as a physician liaison, program coordinator, and therapist on several rehabilitation units.
