9781422279892

I NTERVENTION : Once the patient has been evaluated, therapy (or intervention) can begin. Occupational therapy takes a tremendous amount of creativity. To simulate daily living tasks in a way that is fun and engaging, OTs look for activities that call for the use of similar areas of the body without seeming like therapy. For instance, a child who struggles with using his left hand might be given an activity where he takes turns with his left and right hands to see how far he can throw a softball. To the child, it seems like a game but he is actually strengthen- ing his arms, hands, and core muscles as part of the therapeu- tic process. Therapeutic intervention can last a few weeks for someone with an injury or several months or even years for someone

Occupational therapists often teach patients how to use medical equipment to improve their mobility.

What Do Occupational Therapists Do?

11