As mentioned above, the age group varies from newborns to 18 years of age. Naturally, therapy would continue past this age, as required; however, in my practice, after the age of 18, one is classified into the adult category.
Some of the conditions that I see in my practice include:
- ADHD
- Autism
- Learning Delays
- Intellectual Impairment
- Down Syndrome
- Cerebral Palsy
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Organic Brain Diseases
- Club foot
- Erb's Palsy
- Meningitis
- Fractures
- Other impairments relating to viral or other infections, amongst other conditions.
My therapy programmes vary as each child's programme is tailored according to the needs of that child, therefore an assessment is a prerequisite of the intervention process.
My therapy programme with children includes but is not limited to the training of the following skills:
- Attainment of milestones
- Gross motor skills
- Fine motor skills
- Pencil grip control
- Cutting skills
- Visual perceptual skills
- Offering positive behavior support
- Social skills training
- Basic support of sensory needs
- Parent/ caregiver education
- Educator support
- facilitating school placements
Occupational Therapists work as a team, which may include an Educator, Speech and Language Therapist/ Pathologist, Audiologist, Physiotherapist, Psychologist, Doctor, Nurse, Dietician, Orthotist or Social Worker. Apart from these mentioned members, the parent and the child are central team members.
Early intervention is vital therefore I urge parents to monitor their child’s development and the stages at which they reach their developmental milestones- be on the lookout for delays and if you do notice delays, discuss this with your local health care professionals for advice on the way forward.
Jayanthi Ramnath
Occupational Therapist
