The visual system significantly contributes to the ability for occupational therapy clients to see and has a powerful influence on other sensory systems and how they feel. Visual techniques have been used as a method for relaxation in the research. Overall, visual activities can be used as a method either alone or in conjunction with … Read more
A sensory room is a specially designed space that is used to provide a variety of sensory experiences to individuals who may benefit from their use. The purpose of a sensory room is to promote relaxation, self-regulation and overall well-being for anyone, not just those who may be agitated or dysregulated. These rooms typically includes … Read more
Introduction Sensory calming refers to strategies or techniques that are used in occupational therapy to reduce feelings of stress, anxiety or agitation with clients. These can include things like deep breathing exercises, meditation, aromatherapy, and soft lighting. Sensory alerting refers to strategies or techniques that are used to increase feelings of alertness, attention and focus … Read more
Keep Things Simple Breaking tasks down into smaller, manageable parts. This can make the task less overwhelming and increase the client’s sense of accomplishment. Making modifications to make tasks easier and more efficient. Providing clear and simple instructions for tasks. Using a step-by-step approach to teaching new skills. Encouraging the client to take an active … Read more
Remain calm and speak in a calm and soothing tone. Establish verbal contact. Listen actively and acknowledge the person’s feelings and concerns. Use open-ended questions to gain more information and understanding of the situation. Use “I” statements, active listening, and reflective language. Avoid using confrontational or argumentative language. Identify patient’s wants and feelings. Agree or … Read more
Introduction One way to communicate to other staff a patient’s level of agitation for occupational therapy such as in psychiatric settings like locked units is with an objective scale. A scale like the Behavioral Activity Rating Scale (BARS) can be used to measure agitation and also to help reduce defensive behaviors from staff, which can … Read more
Introduction Sometimes it helps to understand the rules and tips that are given to patients in psychiatric locked units as an occupational therapy practitioner working in mental health. While each unit may have its own rules and some may even contradict each other, the following are some general rules and tips that patients going through … Read more
How do you change someone’s behavior? There is no easy answer, and I wish I knew definitively as an occupational therapist. But I might be on the right track here. We’ve all been there: Maybe you and your team thought you did the best job in the world and are very proud of yourself – … Read more
Video games are becoming more popular and accepted in modern society. We no longer need to been purchase special gaming consoles or computers to play video games as games are now available on smartphones, tablets, and other portable smart-devices. However, video games and cyberbullying in occupational therapy is not well-researched. While there have been a … Read more
Introduction Clients with dementia often live at home for as long as they are able until later stages of the disease. Before dementia was understood in earlier history, clients were labeled with terms such as “confused” and “disoriented”. Our recent understanding of dementia has promoted efforts in considering and addressing the psychosocial components of the … Read more