The Game of Occupational Therapy

What do Occupational Therapists Do?

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

Health Management

Education

OT Practice Settings

Work

Areas of Occupation

The Game of Occupational Therapy

Philosophical Base of Occupational Therapy

Leisure

dice

Player pieces (Drag Either Icon below to THE corresponding position of THE dye rolled)

How do Occupational Therapy practitioners tend to think and act in a professional context?

Social Participation

go

What is Occupational Therapy?

Rest and Sleep

Activities of Daily Life (ADLs)

Top-Down & Bottom-Up Approach

Health and Wellness

Play

Leisure

An area of occupation focused on relaxation and additionally promoting well-being:

Takeaway: OTs can influence participation in leisure activities that contribute to a client's values and interests:

How do Occupational Therapy practitioners tend to think and act in a professional context?

Play

An area of occupation focused on engagement in fun and creative activities

Takeaway Occupational Therapists can:

• Encourage engagement in activities of play

• Adapt play environments for accessibility and inclusion

• Use play as a means to enhance social and motor skills

Each player must choose a color: blue, green, yellow, or pink. He/she gets a piece to mark the position in which he/she rolls during the game. Each player must move the piece of his/her color and place it on the starting square. To start playing, click on the dice and move your piece to the corresponding square. (Click on the plus sign to reveal each square's content) Each square has different aspects of Occupational Therapy to inform and enhance your understanding of the profession! Let's learn about OT!

Education

An area of occupation that supports participation in learning opportunities

Occupational Therapists can:

• Facilitate access and resources to education for populations of children and adults

• Help in the development or modification of time management and study habits

• Modify environments that contribute to cognition and sensory challenges

Areas of Occupation

Within Occupational Therapy, there are 9 areas of occupations - these can be classified as different categories of activities people engage in within their daily lives:

Takeaway: Q: "Occupations.. hmm..in Occupational Therapy, do OTs help people find jobs??" A: "Actually, in this field occupations refer to activities people participate in every day and so much more.."

1. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
2. Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (iADLs)
3. Rest and Sleep
4. Leisure
5. Work
6. Play
7. Education
8. Social Participation
9. Health Management

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Takeaway

An area of occupation focused on supporting essential self-care skills to maintain personal independence such as hygiene and appearance

Occupational Therapists:

• Help individuals meet basic everyday needs such as eating, dressing, and bathing.

• Promote safety and autonomy in daily routines

• Adapt tools, techniques, or environments to overcome barriers for clients

What is the Philosophical Base of Occupational Therapy?

OT Practice Settings

Work An area of occupation with a focus on the enhancement of meaningful work

Takeaway OTs can:

• Address physical, mental, and societal barriers related to work participation

• Assist in career exploration

• Help a client transition back to work industry following an illness or injury.

Health and Wellness

Concepts in Occupational Therapy focusing on a balance of an individual's physical, mental, and social well-being

Takeaway Occupational Therapists can promote health and wellness by:

Health: A state of physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (World Health Organization).

• Modifying environments to engage in activities
• Educating clients on topics such as fall prevention
• Addressing barriers of participation

Wellness: Involves the pursuit of healthy lifestyle choices to achieve a greater degree of well-being

Rest and Sleep

An area of occupation focusing on the importance of quality rest and sleep habits

Examples I use to promote healthy habits as an OT 1st year grad:

• Bedtime routine - no studying after 10 pm
• Listening to soothing music before bed
• Preparing materials for the next school day the night before to alleviate stress

Takeaway: Occupational Therapy practitioners can facilitate goal-setting for clients to enhance healthy sleep routines

What is Occupational Therapy? Lingo: OT for short

Occupational Therapy is a health professional field that helps individuals gain function and enhance independence through engagement in daily occupations throughout the lifespan! Essentially, it promotes participation in the activities people do every day!

Caption: As first year OT students, we were given the opportunity to learn about OT in the Mental Health setting and receive opportunities to promote engagement in arts and crafts activities!

Social Participation

An area of occupation focusing on engagement in social activities/events

Takeaway Occupational Therapists can:

• Help individuals enhance social skills

• Faciliate social involvement

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (iADLs)

An area of occupation focusing on the tasks that help support participation in daily life

Takeaway Occupational Therapists can:

• Provide strategies for managing multiple roles such as being a parent, student, or caregiver

• Teach and restore skills related to gaining independence in various tasks

Health Management

An area of occupation focused on encouraging individuals to have an active role in managing their health

Physical Health Management

OTs can : Teach proper body mechanics to clients to manage chronic conditions

OTs can: Help individuals develop coping strategies for stress and anxiety

Mental Health Management

OTs can: Teach clients how to use adaptative equipment such as wheelchairs and other adapative technology devices

Community-Based Health Management