Sunny Day Therapy's Blog- Helping Children & Caregivers Shine, Do, and Thrive

Happy occupational therapy month to occupational therapy practitioners, students, and clients. When we say occupation in the context of occupational therapy, we are talking about more than “just a job”. We are talking about any activity of meaning or value to a client. It is the meaning making and emphasis on client-centered participation in daily activities that makes OT unique. Evidence suggests that change happens and lasts longer when clients are invested in their activity goals. For example, a study showed that rats who exercise on a wheel gain muscle when they voluntarily get up on the wheel. When they are forced to get on the wheel, the stress of being forced does damage to their health and they actually LOSE muscle mass. Medicine is finally supporting what OT founders have been saying all along- what clients think, value, and want to do matters. We should use client interests, values, and roles to help them achieve their goals. Our OTs use comprehensive and client-centered evaluation interviews that are based on standardized measures and theories… supported by research to help clients identify goals and track progress. Examples of goals identified by clients or their caregivers may include: improving focus, trying new foods, exploring their senses in a playful way, practicing socialization. We see clients who are anxious about transitions, unmotivated to get tasks done, and clients who have typical OT motor concerns (handwriting, core strength, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, sensory processing, reflexes, grasp patterns, hand strength etc.) While there are many areas we would like to help with, we along with clients choose as a team what matters most to the client to get tasks done in their environments first. Regulation first is often a statement we say because we know that when clients are connected and regulated, they are in a state to learn. We first help clients who want to understand their body signs in language and with tools that make sense to them; we give them a practical, tangible plan to manage their stress so that they do not get stuck in the fight-flight-or-freeze system of their nervous system. We know that when clients are regulated, they are better able to focus and get daily tasks done. We have specialized tools that help set up systems and environments efficiently to promote balance and sensory calming. We are prepared to help you through new diagnoses, through seasons of stress, and through specific problem behaviors or emotional anxiety/funk that emerges. We OTs are your problem solvers for life. We have tools to help you grow physically, emotionally, and cognitively strong.

#lexingtonky #occuaptionaltherapy #privatepractice #children #adults #bodybrainconnection #FUNctional #dailyactivities