Allied Health Rehab Centers Occupational Therapy

What is Occupational Therapy ?

Occupational Therapy is a healthcare profession that helps individuals regain maximum function after injury or illness that has led to some degree of physical or mental impairment affecting their ability to participate in normal activities of daily living.

Who can benefit from Occupational Therapy services?

Occupational Therapy services are often made available to individuals experiencing various diagnoses or problems including:

Hand Injuries
Parkinson’s
Arthritis
Stroke
Fractures
Head Injury
Multiple Sclerosis
Joint Replacement
Spinal Cord Injury

What types of functional problems do Occupational Therapists address?

Any type of problem limiting an individual’s ability to efficiently and safely participate in normal or daily activities including:

Dressing
Bathing
Grooming
Meal Preparation
Household Chores
Work Activities

What type of limitations do Occupational Therapists address?

Occupational Therapy will address components or symptoms of injury or illness affecting function especially upper extremity function including:

Strengthening
Increasing ROM
Improving Coordination
Building Endurance
Improving Balance
Transfer Training
Splinting for Support
Splinting for Function
Work Simulation
Work Conditioning
Improving or Accommodating Sensory Limitations
Improving or Adapting to Perceptual Dysfunction

Who provides Occupational Therapy services?

Occupational Therapists are trained healthcare professionals. The Occupational Therapist holds a bachelor’s or master’s degree and has completed a clinical internship. The occupational therapy assistant has an associate’s degree and has also completed a clinical internship. Both occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants must pass a certification exam and must be licensed by the state of Ohio.

Who can answer questions about Occupational Therapy services?

If you have questions regarding Occupational Therapy services for you or a loved one, please contact the occupational therapy staff at Allied Health Rehab Centers at 1-888-381-8243.

Indications For Occupational Therapy Referral

Refer to Occupational Therapy for Restoration of Physical Function when:

Decreased upper extremity strength and/or ROM
Unable to sit unsupported
Unable to safely negotiate wheelchair in surroundings
Needs assist in bed mobility or transfers
Decreased coordination

Refer to Occupational Therapy for Restoration of Sensory-Integrative Function when:

Demonstrates neglect of an extremity or one side of the body
Unable to name or identify objects by touch
Difficulty with color, shape, and/or size discrimination
Impaired visual tracking
Poor hot/cold discrimination

Refer to Occupational Therapy for "Active Treatment Programs" for Psychiatric Illnesses when:

Unable to orient to the "real" time, place, etc.
Difficulty attending to the task at hand
Unable to exit home secondary to fear, paranoia, etc.

Refer to Occupational Therapy for Compensatory Techniques to Improve ADL when:

Visual field cuts are present
Excessive energy is expended for ADL due to poor pacing
Loss of use of dominant hand
Precautions limit ADL performance (e.g. laminectomy, THR, etc.)

Refer to Occupational Therapy for Orthotics and Self Help Devices when:

Unable to perform fine motor tasks (e.g. button, snap, zip, clasp, tie)
Difficulty dressing lower extremities
Inability to perform self ROM and at risk for contracture development
Needs assist to support UE for feeding and other ADL

Refer to Occupational Therapy for Vocational Assessment and Training Directed toward the Restoration of Function in ADL when:

Can’t answer phone
Incorrect/poor sequencing of tasks
Difficult managing checkbook