Background
What is a physical disability
Impairments that affect physical aspects of a person’s life
Name one role of an occupational therapist for people with physical disabilities
Create intervention plan, help patients get back to occupations, work on fine motor skills, coordinate movements, working on social skills, toileting and feeding
Name 2 other professionals OTs interact with
physical therapists, doctors, speech therapists, nurses, psychologists, rehabilitation engineers
What does the typical treatment session start with
preparatory activities
Give 2 examples of an external injury
amputations, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, blindness, tourettes syndrome
What is a progressive diability
a disability that will progress and get worse as they grow older and will eventually lead to death
Do OTs have to stay in close contact with other medical professionals
depending on how severe the case is
what type of activities are typically used in a treatment session
motor and sensory
Give 2 examples of internal physcial disability
cardiopulmonary disorders, diabetes, acquired brain injury, deafness, epilepsy
Most common physcial disability in teens
spinal
How are teens formally referred to OTs
a physician or other legally qualified professional requests Occupational Therapy services for the client
When is a client done with therapy
when a client has reached established goals or achieved maximum benefit
Name the 2 types of disabilities and explain them
Musculoskeletal disabiltiy: physical problems which affect your spinal cord, arms, legs and joints
Neuro Musculo disability: inability to perform controlled movements of affected body parts due to diseases, degeneration or disorder in the nervous system
Two examples of non-progressive diabilities
losing a limb, spinal cord injury
Who informally refers teens to OTs
family, friends, peers, social media posts
How is the discontinuation of therapy determined
by clients ability to reach their set goals
Explain what a spinal cord injury is and give 2 causes
Damage to any part of the spinal cord r nerves at the end of the spinal canal that often causes changes in strength, sensation and other body functions below the side of injury
caused by motor vehicle accidents, falls, acts of violence, sports and recreation injuries, alcohol and diseases
What is the difference between making an intervention plan for someone with a progressive disability as opposed to a non-progressive diability
progressive-to slow down the progressiveness of the disease
non-progressive-increase quality of life in any way possible
List 4 special skills or certifications needed
medical skills, communication skills, psychological skills, know the legal rights of working with the disabled
What is the follow up procedure
client is given a discontinuation plan that documents follow up recommendations and arrangements