TBI and Occupational Therapy

 

Occupational Therapists

  • Occupational therapists (OTs) specialize in improving a person's daily functioning by helping him/her to regain cognitive and motor skills and/or adapt to limitations through modification of tasks and/or the environment
  • OTs have an entry-level Master's degree (MOT) or Clinical Doctorate (OTD)
  • OTs are an integral part of the rehabilitation treatment team.
  • Assessment services provided by OTs include:
    • Evaluation of person's abilities related to activities of daily living (ADLs)
    • Dressing/grooming
    • Eating
    • Home management (e.g. cooking, cleaning)
    • Functioning at work
    • Evaluation of cognitive, motor, and visual functioning as related to performance of functional activities.
    • Home-based evaluations to identify environmental factors that may negatively affect functioning at home (e.g., layout of rugs and furniture that could increase risk of falls).
  • Intervention services provided by OTs include:
    • Therapies to increase motor control for performance of daily activities.
    • Guidance to person with TBI and family members regarding how to structure environments (e.g., at home) to reduce overstimulation for improved cognitive and physical function.
    • Recommendations regarding equipment that will assist in doing daily activities (e.g., a shower seat, adapted kitchen utensils), and training in the use of the equipment.
    • Therapies to help persons with TBI use strategies to manage cognitive difficulties (e.g., use of planners/PDAs to cope with memory difficulties).
  • OTs provide therapy services in inpatient and outpatient settings.
    • In inpatient rehabilitation settings, therapies occur on 5 out of 7 days.
    • In outpatient rehabilitation settings, therapies may occur from 1-3 times/week.
    • Typical therapy sessions range from 30-60 minutes.
 

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This project was supported, in part, by grant number 90TBSG0040-03-00, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points or view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy, nor positions of Curators of the University of Missouri, UMKC, any partners, or additional funding sources.