Question
What is the role of an occupational therapist for special need children?
Solution
- Self-care: An occupational therapist will help a child to perform and be independent in self-care skills like eating, dressing, toileting, bathing, and grooming.
- Play: An occupational therapist helps children to participate and interact with others in play. They may suggest modifications in the position, mobility aids or modify toys to help a child to play.
- School: Occupational therapists help children to participate in and adapt to regular
school. They may suggest aids for writing and other classroom activities to help them participate equally with other children. Children with special needs may also require special furniture to help them sit and write better. - Environmental modifications: Occupational therapists can suggest modifications in the house, school or playground that will help the child participate more easily. Helping the child became independent early in life, will encourage them to live independently as an adult.
- Fine motor skills and Handwriting occupational therapists also play a role in helping a child improve their fine motor skills handwriting. They will be able to identify the specific deficits in the child and suggest activities that will help improve these skills.
- Splinting: Occupational & therapists can also make simple splints to help the child perform activities in a better way.
- Paedeatric treatment: Physiotherapy can be used to treat children affected by
‘Muscular Dystrophy’. These and other conditions may require the child to have
help to improve balance, strength and co-ordination. - Massage and Manipulation
- Exercise and Movement
- Electrotherapy
- Hydrotherapy
Techniques of physiotherapy:
