In cases where accident or illness results in the inability
to engage in tasks of daily living, normal work or
recreational activities, an Occupational Therapist (OT)
helps patients adapt or compensate for their disabilities.
OT's work with patients ranging from infants with
developmental delays, to seniors suffering from arthritis.
Treatments may entail the learning of new approaches to old
tasks, or the use of adaptive and prosthetic devices.
Recreational therapy, or community reintegration, engages
the patient in the work and leisure activities they wish to
pursue. Such therapy is vital to restoring a patient's
confidence and independence.
Patients who suffer the whole or partial loss of function in
arms, legs, or other areas of their bodies are thoroughly
evaluated by skilled professionals. A customized program is
developed to restore function. Therapists train patients in
adaptive techniques to overcome physical limitations. These
may include mobility skills --- such as moving from a bed to
a wheelchair -- vital steps toward regaining an independent
life.
Licensed and certified speech-language pathologists
identify, evaluate and treat speech, language, swallowing
and related disorders. These include aphasia, dysarthria,
dyspahgia, cognitive-linguistic disorders, voice disorders,
speech and language delays, feeding disorders, and other
related communication problems.
An individualized treatment
plan is established which may include oral motor
strengthening speech and language drills, computer-assisted
cognitive rehabilitation, and swallowing compensatory
strategies.
