Getting Back to Meaningful Activities: How Occupational Therapy Can Help
Occupational therapists (OT) help people across the entire lifespan participate in meaningful activities. Occupations (anything you engage in daily) can cover multiple areas, including ADLs (toileting, dressing, bathing, etc.), IADLs (cooking, taking care of pets, household management, financial management, medication management, etc.), sleep and rest, work, education, play, leisure, and social participation. Occupational therapy services will typically include an evaluation, treatment plan, and collaboration to identify goals to help the individual gain independence when participating in each of these areas. Occupational therapists will often use therapeutic activities and exercises to work on the skills and tasks needed to be successful in each activity.
Individuals who have had concussions may notice changes that impact their ability to function at their prior level.
Typical problems after concussion that we address:
Discomfort, strain, or fatigue with reading, completing paperwork, working on the computer, or using their phone.
Changes in writing or typing.
Difficulty focusing - mentally and visually.
Limited tolerance for movement in the environment or watching things move.
Difficulty with reading, such as skipping words or lines or reading/perceiving words incorrectly.
Difficulty driving due to visual overstimulation, processing information quickly, or with concentration.
Trouble planning meals, cooking, or grocery shopping.
Struggling to sleep or manage a schedule.
Individuals who have had a concussion may need support and OT services to address these problems.
How can OT help? What does treatment include/ look like?
Completing a symptom checklist, vision screening, visual perceptual assessments, and coordination/strength testing to establish a baseline and monitor progress.
Education regarding the injury, the visual system, energy conservation, positioning, nutrition, etc.
Compensatory strategies to help manage symptoms and improve participation in daily, meaningful activities.
Restorative activities to improve the areas of difficulty that are limiting participation so that the individual can achieve his/her goals.