Occupational Therapy & Brain Health

Occupational therapy (OT) plays a crucial role in supporting and enhancing brain health. This therapeutic discipline is centered on enabling individuals to engage in meaningful daily activities, which has profound implications for cognitive function and overall brain wellness. 

Through tailored interventions, occupational therapists help clients develop, recover, or maintain skills necessary for daily living and working. By addressing physical, emotional, and environmental factors, OT not only aids in the rehabilitation of those with neurological impairments but also contributes to the prevention of cognitive decline, making it an essential component in the broader landscape of brain health management.

The knowledge and skill base of an occupational therapy team are used to assist individuals in all phases of brain health recovery by:

- Teaching and supporting coping strategies, helping manage the effects on individual’s lives, including being more organized to participate in self-hygiene cares.

- Helping to identify and implement healthy habits, rituals, and routines to support a wellness lifestyle.

- Providing information on how to monitor physical health concerns, develop strategies to control chronic symptoms, and recognize and respond to acute changes.

Signs and symptoms an individual may exhibit:
- Bite, grind teeth, or push on jaw
- Hitting, pushing, or kicking
- Hyperactivity
- Poor eye contact
- Bumping into walls
- Rocking or spinning self
- Clothing sensitivity
- Complains of loud noises

Sensory Integration
Sensory integration dysfunction occurs when the brain is unable to accurately perceive and interpret the sensory information that is entering the body through visual, auditory, gustatory/taste, olfactory/smell, tactile/touch, movement, and positional systems. Sensory integration dysfunction is a common underlying aspect of brain health diagnoses, such as:

- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- ADHD
- Bipolar Disorder
- Down’s Syndrome
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Reactive Attachment Disorder

Interventions to address sensory dysfunction
Our occupational therapy team is fully trained to address sensory-based symptoms through skilled therapeutic interventions. With a holistic sensory-based approach, clients are able to sustain calm alertness, cope with frustrations, and modulate their responses to challenging sensory input. We are skilled in the development of treatment plans and use an organized system of approaches to address client needs.

Strategies for optimal brain health
Our skilled occupational therapists are trained to address emotional and behavioral needs related to everyday activities and social interactions. Our overall goal is to assist individuals in developing or enhancing skills necessary to be independent, safe, and successful in their everyday lives. Therapists develop an understanding of the individual’s primary roles, habits, occupations, interests, and sensory preferences in order to best determine the most effective course of treatment. 

We work closely with clients, parents, caregivers, and other professionals to establish and reinforce daily routines that incorporate calming and regulatory strategies.

Questions? Feel free to call or email our OT team if you or a loved one needs our services.
563-583-4003 or email frontdesk@unifiedtherapy.com