An Occupational Therapist works with individuals whose lives have been affected by illness, injury, normal aging, or a developmental disability. The goal of therapy and consultation is to establish, restore, and/or maintain as much independence as possible. Their role is to:

• Restore, maintain, or improve daily living skills such as bathing, dressing, or eating
• Improve and individual’s positioning in bed or in a wheelchair to optimize comfort and independence
• Provide intervention relative to sensory integration and fine motor development
• Train in therapeutic adaptations, such as assistive equipment, or organizing the environment to improve safety and independence
• Provide sensorimotor treatment for strengthening, endurance, range of motion, coordination, balance, and mobility
• Provide therapeutic activities for memory, orientation, and cognition

Children or adults may be referred to an Occupational Therapist when they experience:

Limitations or a decline in their ability to carry out self care activities Difficulties in the classroom relative to sensory integration or fine motor skills A decrease in strength, endurance or range of motion Illnesses such as stroke or Parkinson’s disease, or issues related to developmental disability that limits the person’s ability to benefit from adaptive equipment A need for positioning to prevent skin breakdown or to improve comfort or independence