Consultation
Occupational Therapy is a healthcare profession that aims to improve a person’s ability to perform daily activities by addressing physical, cognitive, emotional, psychological and environmental factors that affect his/her function by delivering high-quality, client-centered, and evidence-based interventions and consultation.
Occupational Therapy consultation involves an assessment of a person’s abilities and limitations, followed by recommendations and interventions aiming to improve his/her affected occupational performance.
During an Occupational Therapy consultation, an Occupational Therapist may use various assessment tools to evaluate a person’s physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities. This information is then used to develop a personalized treatment plan that may include exercises, activities, and modifications to the person’s environment to support his/her functional abilities.
Occupational Therapy consultation can be beneficial for people with a wide range of conditions, including developmental disabilities, neurological disorders, musculoskeletal injuries, and mental health disorders. By working with an Occupational Therapist, people can learn new strategies to overcome challenges in their daily lives, improve their overall well-being, and achieve their goals.
In pediatrics, Occupational Therapy consultation is provided to children and their families to address challenges related to growth and development. Occupational Therapists work with children to enhance their abilities to participate in Activities of Daily Living, Play, Education and Social participation. They also collaborate with families, caregivers, and educators to identify environmental modifications and support that can promote the child’s occupational performance.
Occupational Therapy consultation may also be useful in workplace settings, where Occupational Therapists can provide guidance on ergonomics, injury prevention, and accommodations for employees with disabilities.
Overall, Occupational Therapy consultation offer a valuable opportunity to improve a person’s ability to engage in meaningful activities, promote his/her independence, and enhance his/her overall quality of life.
References
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
Case-Smith, J., & O’Brien, J. C. (2015). Occupational therapy for children and adolescents (7th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.
Cohn, E. S. (2018). Occupational therapy services for children and youth under IDEA. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72(6), 7212415030.
Jette, D. U., & Latham, N. K. (2005). Occupational therapy consultations in primary care: A feasibility study. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 53(11), 1939-1940.
Kuhaneck, H. M., & Spitzer, S. L. (2021). Interventions for children with challenges in sensory processing and integration. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(Suppl. 2), 7512405121.
Phipps, S., Richardson, B., & Ottmann, G. (2013). Occupational therapy interventions for people with multiple sclerosis. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013(2), CD006267.
World Health Organization. (2010). Occupational therapy. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/occupational_therapy/en/