Welcome to another edition of "Today in My OT Life"! In this session we are working toward increasing gross motor skills, motor planning, position in space, and proprioception. Check out this fun activity used to work toward this client’s goals and objectives.

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes dramatic shifts in a person's mood, energy and ability to think clearly. People with bipolar experience high and low moods—known as mania and depression—which differ from the typical ups-and-downs most people experience.  Occupational therapists work with these individuals to assist them in all capacities of their daily living. OT's can see not only to their mental well-being, but their physical well-being and safety as well. Learn more in this study guide where you will find:

1.  Graphic Reviews and Tips

2.  Self-Management Strategies Used by ‘High Functioning’ Individuals with Bipolar Disorder: From Research to Clinical Practice - Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy

3.  A Review oí Evidence-Based Therapeutic Interventions for Bipolar Disorder - Journal of Mental Health Counseling

4.  Occupational therapy for people with psychotic conditions in community settings: a pilot randomized controlled trial - Sheffield Hallam University 

5.  Bipolar Disorder:An Information Guide - Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

6.  The Role Checklist Assessment   

What you do every day will dictate your future.
What you want out of life, you must put in.
If you want success, put it in there.
If you want health and fitness – put it in.
If you want peace, happiness – put it in.
Your actions equal your results.

MY MIND IS STRONG.
I AM STRONG.
MY THOUGHTS ARE STRONG. MY BELIEFS ARE STRONG. MY LIFE IS STRONG.

They say I can’t: I CAN! They say I won’t: I WILL! They say I’m not: I AM.
I AM LIMITLESS.
I AM. I AM.

THERE’S NOTHING I CAN NOT BE. NOTHING I CAN NOT DO. NOTHING I CAN NOT HAVE.
IN MY MIND THERE ARE NO LIMITS!
I AM LIMITLESS.

When the world says, "no you can't", Occupational Therapy responds with an emphatic  "YES YOU CAN!!"  

Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Play is important to healthy brain development. It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them.

The International Institute of Therapeutic Intervention and Learning is a great resource for those utilizing brain entrainment and neurofeedback. Their soundscapes specifically target areas where a client may be having trouble.

For those unfamiliar with Brain Entrainment, it refers to the capacity of the brain to naturally synchronize its brainwave frequencies with the rhythm of periodic external stimuli, most commonly auditory, visual, or tactile. The external stimuli elicit the brain’s ‘frequency following response’, encouraging the brainwaves to align to the frequency of a given medium. FFR can be useful because brainwaves are very much related to mental state. For example, a 10 Hz brainwave is associated with relaxation, so a 10 Hz sound pattern would help reproduce the relaxed state in your brain. I have successfully used it with varying conditions including; ADHD, ASD, PTSD, Anxiety, and Sensory Integration. However, one does not have to have a diagnosis to utilize brain entrainment. Positive research on brain entrainment continues to grow and expand.

Creatively providing therapeutically beneficial interventions across the lifespan. 

ALWAYS bettering the lives of our patients. 

The price of OT success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we "win" or "lose", we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.

Here is a session that focused on grip strength, visual scanning, and motor planning.

Keeping it fun for the little ones!! 

But the best thing is....I have just as much fun as they do!!

What Is the Focus of Occupational Therapy With Individuals With Autism? Occupational therapy services focus on enhancing participation in the performance of activities of daily living (e.g., feeding, dressing), instrumental activities of daily living (e.g., community mobility, safety procedures), education, work, leisure, play, and social participation. For an individual with an ASD, occupational therapy services are defined according to the person’s needs and desired goals and priorities for participation.  in this study guide you will find: 

1. Graphic Reviews and Tips

2. Occupational Therapy’s Role with Autism - AOTA Fact Sheet

3. Evidence-Based Review of Interventions for Autism Used in or of Relevance to Occupational Therapy - The American Journal of Occupational Therapy

4. Occupational Therapy Incorporating Animals for Children With Autism: A Pilot Investigation - The American Journal of Occupational Therapy

5. The Effects of Occupational Therapy With Sensory Integration Emphasis on PreschoolAge Children With Autism  - The American Journal of Occupational Therapy

6. Aggressive and Challenging Behaviors Tool Kit - Autism Speaks

Hey Guys,

If you haven't joined the Facebook group entitled 'The Occupational Therapy Review' you are missing out!  Not only will you find daily relevant OT news, but you can also be highlighted for what YOU do.  Be a featured OT or OTA, which will be starting in April.  OT professionals do so much, and now it is time to be recognized for your valiant efforts!! Join here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheOccupationalTherapyReview/