An Occupation for Living: occupational therapy
Imagine living during a time where mental illness or disability were considered evil and that the only cure was to be tortured, hung, or imprisoned in not even animal worthy conditions. The idea of these dark cells over crowded by the 'insane' is heart wrenching, considering most people are affected in one way or another by a person in their life with a disability. Luckily, societal standards have changed, but up until recently this was not the case. 'Inmates' as they were referred to suffered greatly. They were chained, whipped, starved and persecuted for their 'crimes'. These people were not criminals but instead sick people who deserved proper consideration ("History of Mental Illness and Early Treatment in a nutshell"). Fortunately, today's society has innovative techniques for people living with such illnesses and allows them to become active members of the community (History of Occupational Therapy" 1). The development of occupational therapy during this time was concerned with "directed use of time, interests, energy, and attention; in combination with purposeful daily activity for treatment" (2). It is important to recognize that such methods are considered most effecti
Occupational therapy is indeed the most effective method to promote success for a child's development and teach skills that will better able them to live normal and productive lives. An occupational therapist focuses primarily on assessing, and determining the most effect way to promote change. An occupational therapist's specific role to enhance life skills deals with a hands- on approach that empowers the client to take control of their life and the environment around them. By changing perceptions and recognizing the role that community development has on a clients potential growth proves an occupational therapy role to be most effective. It is important for this aspect of therapy to be successful, because it impacts the possibility of a productive life. " For a client with mental illness, the goals are based on the ability to function independently... the occupational therapy program focuses on areas such as managing time, working productively with others, and enjoying leisure"("A Career in Occupational Therapy" 1). Since the shift in thinking towards disabilities, it is a main concern for occupational therapists to "provide services that assist people with disabilities to achieve their maximum potential, live in the community and take up their rights as full citizens (" Beyond Good Practice" 1). One of the most effective ways to reach this maximum potential, and prove the effectiveness of the therapist's involvement, comes from hands- on intervention. ve with early childhood intervention. In that case, the modernized method of intervention of occupational therapy can promote a productive adult life for a child living with a form of disability or high needs through the therapists role in intervention, the clients proactive involvement, and also the communities role in therapy. Promote the young person developing a greater sense of responsibility, work towards the empowerment of the young person, to enable them to take control and make relevant choices, understand in work with the important connections each young person has with their family/careers and the wider environment, resolve and/or manage the primary emotional disorder and associated mental health issues, work with the young person's family and wider community to understand the young person in context of their environment and promote positive change within the systems that support the young person, and optimize the young persons development and ability to fully participate in their environment( McEntee 3). By acknowledging occupational therapy as a beneficial way to promote a child's success in life, it is important to recognize the adverse methods in dealing with mental illness and disability. Occupational therapy is considered a very
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Approximate Word count = 1843
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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