OT with Autism

Hi Readers,

Autism is a development mental disorder that many people know about, but many people don’t know what the child or adult with Autism go through to try to live a normal life. This is where occupational therapists come in. I know I have talked about this a lot in my other posts, but this is what they do! They help individuals try to perform everyday tasks to the best of their abilities and patients with autism are no different. OTs with together with the patient, families, caregivers, teachers, and coworkers to ensure everyone understands the needs of the patient. The OT helps “people with autism adjust tasks and conditions to match their needs and abilities” (AOTA).

As in OT in this particular area of practice, they can work in hospitals, schools, perform at home therapy, and nursing care facilities. Also in some communities they have facilities for individuals with disabilities to come and be with others like themselves where the OT could work. Obviously people with autism are of all ages so there is a range of patients you could work with as well. The OT performs a variety of tasks and therapies with the patient that is unique to them and the type of services they require.

I hope you found this information useful and informative about occupational therapists working with patients who have autism. Even though this is my last blog for the class I made it for, I hope to continue posting and informing you more on other areas a degree in occupational therapy could take you!!

Thanks for reading!

Megan

References:

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2011). Occupational therapy's role with autism. Retrieved from https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/CY/Fact-Sheets/Autism%20fact%20sheet.pdf

Occupational Therapy in a Different Kind of Health Setting...

Hi Readers:

This week I want to talk about an area in health that occupational therapist can work in that many people do not realize. Sleep is an area in the medical field that many people look past, but is essential to a healthy life. Occupational therapy connects with sleep because, if an individual is struggling to sleep or does not get enough sleep, they do not have the energy or the ability to perform everyday tasks (AOTA).

There are over 80 sleep disorders which effect peoples’ daily lives, and that is why we have occupational therapists! Because there is a large range of disorders, the OT can work with a variety of different patient types. Some patients OT help with sleep disorders are ones with an autism spectrum disorder. The OT assists the patient and their families in creating routines, habits and patterns when it’s time for bed (AOTA). If the OT is working with a patient that struggles to relax around this time, they can help them with calming exercises. Another simple way an OT helps patients with sleep, is just to perform more physical and vigorous activities with them to ensure sleep. Occupational therapists can also be involved in the diagnosis or assessment process for patients. There are many factors that contribute to sleep disorders or sleep deprivation and the OTs have to determine what they are in order to correctly treat them.

In general, sleep is a part of daily life and essential to our health, but many people look past it because of their busy lives. Some people struggle with sleep and do not have a choice in the matter. Sleep effects how we live our lives and how we perform everyday tasks. This is directly linked to occupational therapy and why we have professionals in this field. I hope I provided you with new information on how an OT can assist in sleep!

Thanks for reading,

Megan

References:

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2012). Occupational therapy's role in sleep. Retrieved from http://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/HW/Facts/sleep.pdf