Published on: 05/11/20
Occupation therapy helps children and adults perform everyday activities; it is used after a brain injury when children may have lost the ability to manage certain activities and therefore helps give them greater independence in their lives.
An occupational therapist will consider all aspects of a child’s needs – physical, psychological, social and environmental. Katy Buche, Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist at The Children’s Trust, said: “We take a ‘whole person approach’ to enable children and young people to achieve their full potential.”
Katy explains that ‘occupation’ refers to participation in meaningful and purposeful activities and have a sense of identity and belonging. This includes activities of daily living (self-care, productivity and leisure).
The theme for Occupational Therapy Week 2020 is #ChooseOT so occupational therapists all over the country have been sharing why they chose the profession and love their careers.
Katy said: “I love being a children’s OT because you get to work closely with families and children on things that are important to them. I love using activity analysis and problem solving to understand strength and challenges.”
Katy’s colleague, occupational therapist Dan Christmas, added: “I love being able to identify opportunities for children to explore new sensations and feeling through often very messy play and being able to give opportunities for children to get excited and participate with their peers. Either by using smart technology and equipment or just by looking at the task in a slightly different way.”
Children and young people having rehabilitation at The Children’s Trust also explained what OT had help them to do, saying:
“… find my own way of doing things for myself”
“…believe in myself and never give up.”
“…strengthen my mind and my body.”
“…help me complete everyday tasks that most people take for granted.”
Read more about OT and other therapies after brain injury here and check out the Royal College of Occupational Therapists' Occupational Therapy Week 2020 website.
