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SYLVA
- Most
people have never heard of Occupational Therapy. Of those who have,
many still think Occupational Therapists simply help people get back
to work.
That is why each April is designated as "National Occupational
Therapy Month" - to raise awareness about all the positive things
Occupational Therapists do in our society.
And actually, one aspect of this field is to help people get back to
work. But work for some people is playing golf, for others it is going
to school and for still others, it is work just to get up in the morning
and get dressed or brush their teeth.
You can see that the English language needs a better term for work -
one that would be a general, all-inclusive term or phrase. Professionals
in the field of Occupational Therapy have chosen to use the phrase:
Activities of Daily Living. This includes: work, play and leisure.
Activity is the essence of life and health and is a very motivating
and effective tool for increasing participation in therapy. Research
has shown that participation rates are significantly impacted by using
activities that have meaning for the patient rather than routine exercise.
The analysis of the physical, psychological and social aspects of specific
activities and the matching of an activity with a specific patient’s
goals and abilities is what Occupational Therapists do.
Presenting these activities with their respective challenges in a systematic
way provides structured opportunities for growth and healing for patients.
Occupational Therapists must be able to break any activity down into
its component parts. Activities by nature require physical and cognitive
interaction.
This requires knowledge of all of the biological functions of the human
body, as well as the psychological and social aspects of the activity.
Cooking, for instance requires the ability to stir, get things out of
the refrigerator, do simple math, problem solve, understand basic safety
around the stove, smell, taste and more. Cooking also involves shopping
for ingredients (driving, handling money, finding your way around in
a grocery store) and presentation (artistic sense of color, pattern,
flavor combinations) and it has a lot to do with socialization. You
can see that the list is practically endless. The process of matching
an activity with a patient is an art based on science.
To become an entry-level therapist, training in the biological and social
sciences along with practical experience are all required. There are
two levels of training; the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) and
the Occupational Therapist. The OTA certification can be obtained through
a community college while the Occupational Therapist degree must be
obtained through a university at a Masters Degree level.
Southwestern
Community College offers the two-year OTA program at its Jackson Campus.
Many of the graduates work in the area in nursing homes, hospitals,
schools, vocational centers and group homes.
So what is the big deal about Occupational Therapy Month? The answer:
Occupational Therapy makes your community a better place to live. Also,
you or someone you know may need the services of an Occupational Therapist
some day. When that happens you will know where to look for help.
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