The Difference Between Occupational Therapy for Adults and Children

The difference Between Occupational Therapy for Adults and Children is significant. It mainly depends upon the age group and prior aliments each patient gets diagnosed with. However, it can also be good practice for developing cognitive behavior in children.

Occupational therapy is a medical treatment for patients with physical or mental disabilities. When diagnosed with severe injury, pain, or illness, many patients lose the ability to perform regular tasks of their daily life. So, they naturally become dependent, eventually requiring a therapist to help them acquire the day-to-day activities on their own.

This comprehensive guide provides you with an in-depth knowledge of occupational therapies, their differences, and the primary causes for which an adult or child might need it. So, take a deep breath and know-how such therapy can elevate the quality of life.

Key Areas of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists are tasked with helping patients restore their everyday activities. As patients continue to live independently, the therapist then breaks down activities into key areas and provides interventions and exercises to help them reach goals.
There are about eight categories into which the therapists break down these daily activities. The key areas are as follows,

• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
• Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
• Rest and Sleep
• Education
• Work
• Leisure
• Play
• Social Participation

The therapist will recommend ongoing occupational therapy assessment of patient progress as well as need treatment planning and development of activity programs based on each patient’s abilities. Such treatment procedures are appropriate for adults and children regarding any health conditions.

Why Do Adults Need OT?

Adults with developmental disabilities require occupational therapies daily. Such treatments offer both cognitive and physical therapy to help adults cope with their everyday life tasks.

There are dozens of ways adults with anxiety and depression seek help. They see psychiatrists for medication and occupational therapists to learn coping skills. An occupational therapist works alongside a doctor to understand what treatment an adult needs to achieve the life they want to live.

Other than that, older adults having physical weakness and chronic pain can also seek occupational therapies. An OT practitioner knows better about how a grown-old man can improve his physical activities.

What are the Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Adults?

As mentioned earlier, occupational therapy aims to help the disabled elevate their physical and mental well-being. And in terms of adults’ approach, these therapies can boost their energy and confidence in many ways. There are numerous benefits of undergoing occupational therapy services for adults, which include,

Upgraded Range of Motion: OTs commonly use ROM (range of motion) exercises to improve the patients’ flexibility, strength, and mobility. OT therapies are an excellent way for patients who have trouble moving or recovering ROM.

Clear Vision: If a patient is coping with vision loss, they can seek treatment through occupational therapy (OT). OT visual therapy can help patients who suffer from conditions like lazy eye, double vision, dizziness, strabismus, and other vision problems.

Better Memory: When one suffers from memory loss—whether it be a case of aging, a stroke, or another affliction that has affected brain function—recovery is possible with occupational therapy. A certified occupational therapist can help to improve memory skills and heal through various activities that work on the senses and address mental health conditions.

Sounder Cognitive Skills: OT is a procedure that helps people with memory loss retain their cognitive skills. This holistic approach includes cognitive stimulation therapy and activities sensory stimulation to support better cognitive knacks.

Chronic Pain Reduction: Elderly patients with chronic pain can get their best treatment through occupational therapy. Occupational therapy works incredibly to reduce physical strains and pain in older adults.

Why Would a Child Need Occupational Therapy?

It’s not always mandatory that children with disabilities can only go under the treatment of occupational therapies. For instance, a child with a feeding disorder, muscle weakness, or behavioral disorders may need such therapies.

Some children simply have different sensory sensitivities than others. And some children are unable to cope with certain textures, clothing fabrics, or noises. Occupational therapies can help them learn how to adjust to these new experiences to feel more comfortable and less anxious.

Overall, occupational therapies can improve children’s daily living skills alongside motor skills. With the proper treatment, they can become an independent adult who is successful at home, school, and the workplace.

Occupational therapy helps children with their physical, cognitive, communication, and daily living skills. The purpose is to assist children in living the most fulfilling lives possible. But do all children require these therapies? Of course, not.

Children with down syndrome, sensory integration problems, autism, visual processing disorders are crucial for OT services. However, other children with feeding disorders, cognitive weakness, muscle weakness, leisure activities may also receive the treatment.

Understanding Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy professionals see kids from a different perspective. They don’t just help them work through their troubles; they aim to make the sessions as enjoyable as possible. And that’s where Pediatric Occupational Therapy comes in.

Pediatric therapies include fun activities like board games, crafts, and education classes. It helps children learn about new topics to advance skills in a non-threatening environment. It boosts confidence and allows children to become more disciplined in their day-to-day life by following routines.

Remember, children can be very different in how their conditions are presented and responded to. Treatment will be customized to your child based on the nature of their ailment. For any other occupational therapy programs, consult your children’s healthcare provider.

Appoint For NDIS Approved OT Services

If you are about to get an appointment for occupational treatment, you should check whether the therapist you hire provides NDIS Approved therapies. Generally, it’s common to have encountered several OT services, but the reliable ones are NDIS approved services.

The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) is the most extensive social reform since Medicare provides support and funding for patient evaluations. It gives families, people with disabilities, and carers an active role in thinking about their future.

Here are some NDIS approved therapies that you can count on,

Occupational therapy for intellectual disabilities
Occupational therapy for physical disabilities
Occupational therapy for psychosocial disabilities (mental health)
Home Modification Services
Assistive Technology Services
SDA and SIL Assessments
OT Driving Assessments
Occupational Therapy for kids
Occupational Therapy for adults
Pediatric occupational therapy assessment
School-based occupational therapy assessments

FAQs

What Does an Occupational Therapist Do for Adults?
Occupational therapists treat adults of all ages to improve their lives. They help injured individuals maintain the ability to perform everyday tasks and help older adults live at home for as long as possible. Occupational therapists work with various conditions, from health injuries to mental illnesses.

What Does an Occupational Therapist Do for a Child?
Occupational therapists use play, exercise, and other therapies to help children overcome emotional, social, or physical barriers. These barriers are as varied as the kids they contact — whether it’s a child who is having difficulty in school or a child who has hearing issues, occupational therapists are there to help!

What Can an OT Do for a Child with Autism?
Occupational therapists are an essential resource for autistic children and their families. They can help them with many typical issues, including sensory processing differences and an autism spectrum disorder.

Is There Any Occupational therapy for Adults with Autism?
Occupational therapists help individuals with autism improve their social, emotional, and physical functioning. Their unique occupational therapy for autism adults can help patients overcome weaknesses in those areas and achieve personal growth.

How to Explain Occupational Therapy to a Child?
Occupational therapy is a medical specialty that is difficult for children to understand. It is simple to know with a child’s favorite cartoon.

What Body Parts Do Occupational Therapists Treat?
Occupational therapists typically treat persons with problems with their shoulders, elbows, wrists, and hands. Physical therapists are experts in treating people who have spine-related issues, including the foot, ankle, knee, and hip.

What is Occupational Therapy for Older Adults?
Occupational therapists assist elderly patients who cannot perform daily functions such as dressing, eating, and bathing. These professionals show them to exercise and rehabilitation techniques that help make it easier to complete their daily tasks.

For an Occupational therapist (OT), it’s very natural to get along with patients of all ages. They know exactly what type of therapy each patient requires and how they should be assessed. But that doesn’t mean the job of taking care of your patient is entirely upon them.Occupational therapy professionals need your fair contribution in the process of your patient’s initial assessment and require you to have a clear vision of how these therapy work.

There are numerous occupational therapy programs available. Each of these services has its advantages, goals, and applications. All you need to do is have a definite knowledge of these therapies and find an Occupational Therapist near you, later on, to consult them for the specific service you require.

Better Rehab occupational therapy service in Bankstown, Blacktown, Central Coast, Newcastle, Northern Beaches, Macquarie Park, Maroubra, Penrith, Wollongong, Canberra, Gippsland, Greensborough, Moonee Ponds, Mornington, Mulgrave, Surrey Hills, Werribee, Chermside, Gold Coast, Ipswich, North Lakes, Springwood, Stones Corner, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Cockburn Central, Inglewood, Joondalup, Adelaide.

References:

National Disability Insurance Scheme
https://www.ndis.gov.au/