Various Occupational Therapy Treatment Techniques for Cerebral Palsy

Occupational therapy (OT) is a treatment method for cerebral palsy (CP), a neurological disorder which hinders body movement and muscle coordination. The goal of occupational therapy is to allow people to live more fulfilling lives by being as independent as possible. Therapists work to increase a patient's independence by employing various treatment techniques. Occupational therapy is available through a doctor's prescription and is readily offered at places such as schools, hospitals and rehabilitation centers.

Strategy

• An occupational therapist will work with a cerebral palsy patient and her family on developing goals which will be rewarding when reached. Occupational therapy is similar to physical therapy although there is one distinct difference; activities done in OT are task orientated. For example, say a child with cerebral palsy is a fan of baseball. In physical therapy the therapist may use bean bags to work on improving the kid's hand-eye coordination. However, in OT the therapist may take the child to a local baseball field and use a tennis ball to play catch. Playing catch on the baseball field will improve hand-eye coordination while at the same time directly improve the child's baseball skills.

Technology

• Assistive technology, which aids a person in completing a task that normally would be more difficult, is commonly employed in occupational therapy. This could range from large-handle eating utensils to shower benches. An occupational therapist will determine what assistive technology devices would be beneficial on a case to case basis.

Emotions

• OT may also focus on properly managing emotions. Somebody with cerebral palsy may get angered and/or frustrated easier than others because of the person's physical difficulties. Once you become consumed with emotion, tasks can become even more difficult. Take the simple task of walking for example. Say a high school senior with a mild form of CP is on a tour of a college campus with a group of other high school seniors. The student with cerebral palsy may start falling behind and become frustrated. As a result he may go to speed up, making his gait sloppy, which in return makes the student more vulnerable to losing his balance and falling. In occupational therapy the therapist can teach methods of emotional management so the person with CP is able to stay in control of his emotions.