Understanding Occupational Therapy
OT focuses on helping individuals participate in their valued daily activities—things they need and want to do. Critical to this participation are cognitive functions such as processing and memory.
Causes of Cognitive and Processing Challenges
Several conditions can impact cognitive and processing skills, including:
Neurological Conditions
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- Stroke
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- Traumatic brain injury
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- Parkinson’s disease
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- Dementia
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- Alzheimer’s disease
Mental Health Conditions
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- Depression
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- Anxiety
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- Bipolar disorder
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- Substance use disorders
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- Schizophrenia
Developmental and Pediatric Conditions
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- ADHD
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- Autism spectrum disorder
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- Developmental delay
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- Sensory processing disorders
Other Medical Conditions
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- Post-COVID complications
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- Burns
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- Chemotherapy effects
How Can OT Help?
Evaluation
Your first visit will include a comprehensive evaluation. This process involves gathering information about your specific situation and circumstances. You’ll also begin building a therapeutic relationship with your therapist.
During the evaluation, the therapist will assess how cognitive functions affect your daily activities. This session forms the foundation for an individualized plan of care to address your therapy goals.
Goals May Include:
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- Safe and independent participation in daily activities
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- Improved safety awareness
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- Enhanced problem-solving skills
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- Better attention and focus
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- Strengthened language and social interaction
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- Improved memory
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- Task or environment modifications
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Treatment
Subsequent sessions focus on treatment, following your personalized plan of care. Occupational therapy often involves occupation-based interventions—engaging in specific tasks or activities to address cognitive challenges.
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During treatment, you might:
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- Participate in dual-task activities
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- Engage in memory or problem-solving games
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- Practice specific occupations that are challenging for you
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Therapists are skilled in grading activities, which means breaking down tasks to ensure they are appropriately challenging. They also provide modifications or assistance to promote success, aiming to restore cognitive skills and foster safe, independent participation in daily life.
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- Resources: American Occupational Therapy Association. (2020). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process
(4th ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(Suppl. 2), 7412410010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S2001
- Resources: American Occupational Therapy Association. (2020). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process
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- American Occupational Therapy Association. (2019). Cognition, cognitive rehabilitation, and occupational performance. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(Suppl. 2), 7312410010. https://doi.org/10.5014.ajot.2019.73S201