interventions

Righting vs Equilibrium vs Protective Reactions in Occupational Therapy

What are Righting vs Equilibrium vs Protective Reactions? See a comparison table and learn how to incorporate occupations into the assessment process concerning patient’s righting reactions, equilibrium reactions, and protective reactions in real-life contexts. Techniques described include breaking down occupations (activity analysis), creating simulated environments, and gathering subjective input to develop targeted interventions and enhance patient functional performance and safety.

Overview of Social Skills Interventions for Autism in Occupational Therapy

Introduction Social skills interventions are designed to address barriers in social skills for clients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These social skills interventions can be facilitated by the occupational therapist or educator and may involve training peers to interact with those who have ASD to improve their social skills. Furthermore, social skills training may be … Read more

Cryotherapy (Icing) for Grip Strength with Hemiparesis After Stroke | Occupational Therapy Practice

Introduction One common sequela of stroke is difficulty performing movements due to spasticity or increased muscle tone. More severe cases of spasticity may result in limited functional independence of daily activities such as ADLs of eating, bathing, toileting, dressing, bathing, and grooming (ADLs). Spasticity has been defined differently, but one common definition is marked by … Read more

Burns – Occupational Therapy Evidence-based Interventions

Commonly used occupational therapy interventions for burns include: Physical activity and conditioning Pain management Scar management Orthoses and Splints Participation in Occupations Physical Activity and Conditioning Occupational therapists can promote therapeutic activities and exercise to help correct impairments and improve musculoskeletal function. Specific bottom-up strategies include addressing strength, flexibility (ROM), endurance, stability, and balance to … Read more

Non-pharmacological Occupational Therapy Interventions for Dementia

OT Dementia Featured Image

Four categories of interventions are discussed for clients with dementia at home with support by caregivers. Introduction While the specific needs of the client should be addressed, there should be considerations for the caregiver(s) who have taken on the primary role of caregiving for clients at home with dementia. Studies have shown that caregivers are … Read more

Dementia Fall Risk and Prevention Education Occupational Therapy

Dementia Fall Interventions

Introduction An important intervention for patients with dementia and their family is education about fall risks and prevention strategies. Falls are a complex and multifactorial issue that can result in patient injury and morbidity, especially in older adults. People with dementia are 5 times more likely to be institutionalized than people with dementia who do … Read more

Active vs. Passive Memory Book – OT/SLP Collaboration

Active vs Passive Memory Book

Memory books (not to be confused with Life Storybooks) can be useful tools to help patients with memory difficulties function in their environment. SLP often introduces memory books to patients when they can benefit from them. Memory books are often more successful when the interdisciplinary team is aware of its existence, purpose, location, and priorities … Read more

Memory Books and Life Story Books for Dementia – Occupational Therapy

Memory & Life Story Books for Dementia

Introduction In my mental health rotation at an outpatient behavioral health setting, one of the previous students created a nostalgia book for one of the social and leisure groups. It was a very creative book that contained photographs and pictures of pop culture, media, products, and historical events aimed for older adults. Although this nostalgia … Read more

ADHD Interventions & Models for Occupational Therapists – Evidence-Based Practice

A list of models and occupational therapy interventions for ADHD based on research for children, adolescents, and adults. Interventions address ADHD symptoms, social skills, motor skills, play, cognition, and more. Children Models Cognitive Rehabilitation (Toglia) Behavioral Play-based Sensory Interventions Dyadic Parent-child Teacher-child Occupational therapist-child Executive Function Cognitive-Functional (Cog-Fun) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — hyperactivity Play-Based … Read more

What Does Occupational Therapy Do for Stroke Patients?

Introduction What does occupational therapy do for stroke patients? On the surface, it may not look like a lot. The therapist is helping the client walk, take a shower, or put on clothes. But there is way more that goes on “under the hood” as it appears. Occupational therapists assess for, consider, and provide rehabilitation … Read more