occupational therapy and physio

[bluefish]

Hi just had a letter to say e been refered to OT and Pysio this is probably a really silly question but what is OT for? and is physio for his motor skils?

[Karen A]

Hi bluefish.Physiotherapy is more to do with actual physical activity.A physio may suggest or teach a person how to do specific exercises or may provide massage or heat treatment or other therapy to help with pain or reduced mobility.

OT is occupational therapy.Occupational therapists assess how a disability or health problem impacts on a person's ability to carry out activities of daily living-things like dressing,washing,toileting,cooking and being safe at home or in other environments.Occupational therapists will suggest alternative ways of doing things or provide/assess for equipment that might solve whatever problem a person has.Some OTs also assess and treat Sensory Integration.

That is a very rough and ready overview which my OT and Physio friends would probably say is simplistic but may give you a bit of an idea. Karen.

[lisa35]

Hi, our ot also looked at daily living, school life, how son accessed activities, helped with organisational skills, independance, she is brill, in fact had more appropriate practicala dvice from her than anywhere lse!

Lisa

[allie]

My DS was refered to both. They did some tests with him - (they both worked together) did some writing, hopping, getting him to walk on a straight line on his tippee toe, throwing and catching.

 

The OT then used to come into his school 1 day everyweek for a couple of hours. She used to help him with his hand writing and fine motor skills. It was very useful and he got alot out of it.

Hope this helps.

Allie