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session. This serves two purposes. First, the OT is able to keep track of the progress of multiple patients throughout the day. Second, it allows the OT to evaluate each patient’s needs and make adjustments for the next therapy session. Periodically, the OT will conduct a reevaluation to assess how far the patient has come in therapy. The patient is able to see his progress, but more importantly the OT is able to meas- ure the therapy’s outcome and either recommend additional therapy or discharge the patient from her care. The process of charting and documentation is also impor- tant when dealing with insurance companies. While many insurance companies cover occupational therapy, they require documentation from time to time that therapy is still a neces- sary part of the patient’s recovery. Occupational Therapy and the Senses Occupational therapists also work with children and adults who have difficulty integrating information from their senses into their daily lives. Our brains process enormous amounts of sensory information on a regular basis. We sense movement through our inner ear system, we smell, taste, touch, and hear, and we experience textures when we eat, dress, shower, or even sleep. For children and adults who have a sensory process- ing disorder , simple processes such as eating become difficult because the brain cannot easily process texture information and overreacts to stimulation. Occupational therapists are trained to help their patients identify problems with sensory input and use strategies to incorporate that information in sim- ple and easy ways.

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