ADHD: Occupational Therapy

Let me tell you about ADHD and how it is related to  OT. My son gets OT for ADHD. An occupational therapist recommended it for a person’s health and rehabilitation when other treatments failed.

In our first session, our occupational therapist from the American Occupational Therapy Association invited me inside this playroom with a whiteboard filled with drawings and words. The first drawing I saw on the board was a chair. Next, another drawing was a hand with five fingers. Following the third drawing during the treatment plan was a pair of opened eyes. After that, it came with a drawing of closed lips. I read that this was part of the initial patient evaluations in the occupational therapy process as part of patient health care.

Occupational Therapy can cure ADHD. This rule is focused on the concept of patience which kids with ADHD don't possess.
Source: sciencedaily.com

Occupational Therapy For Mental Health Challenges

Next, I saw a drawing of ears. After the drawings, there were phrases that said “FINISH WORK”, “NO HITTING HEAD” and lastly, “NO SLAPPING, GRABBING, PUSHING”. Besides the eight occupational therapy rules, there were three boxes and one of those boxes had an “x” mark.

On top of the board, it said, “8 OCCUPATION THERAPY RULES FOR MICHAEL.”

Sit And Wait

My son is extremely hyperactive because of his ADHD, which is considered a mental illness. I know that now. And one way to control a child with excess energy is “The Chair,” wherein they have to sit and wait for a few minutes in the clinics. The occupational therapist told me to teach my child to “sit and wait” for 5 minutes at home – doing nothing, but just IT. It was to be included as one of his everyday activities.

Hand

“The Hand” rule means not to touch things, especially if it’s not yours. In the occupational therapy setting, kids with ADHD don’t understand the concept of boundaries and would grab anything that has their interest. They won’t even ask permission to borrow a certain thing, and that behavior needs to be curbed. This is part of their mental illness.

Eyes

Kids who have ADHD as a condition, before treatment and occupation therapy, cannot focus on a certain task at 100%. This is really a mental health challenge for them. So many occupational therapists try to incorporate tasks within their everyday activities that involve attentiveness.

Kids who have ADHD as a condition, before treatment, cannot focus on a certain task at 100%. He needs occupation therapy.
Source: pexels.com

Lips

“The Lips” rule is very simple – training them not to talk when inside the classroom and while the teacher is speaking. On the same platform, don’t interrupt a person while he is talking, and wait for your turn to speak.

Ears

Kids with ADHD don’t have the skill to listen intently. In order to treat this type of behavior, the children are being taught the concept of listening – listen to your teacher, mom, dad, older siblings etc. During the session, the child will learn to “listen” without inattentive issues. That is “The Ears” rule.

“The nonstop leisure activities, impulsive actions, and more frequent aggressiveness of children with the hyperactive or combined types of ADHD are obvious sources of annoyance to peers. They are more likely than other children to argue and start fights,” notes expert Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D.

don't interrupt a person while he is talking and wait for your turn to speak. Children with ADHD are excessive talkers and this treatment rule is one way to minimize that behavior. Cute little girl with colorful hair pins
Source: kubanvseti.ru

Occupational Therapy Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Main Purpose Of Occupational Therapy?

The purpose of occupational therapy (OT) is to aid people of all ages to practice daily tasks and provide meaningful activities that are important to them. Occupational Therapists (Ots) focus on improving functional abilities, promoting independence, and improving overall quality of life.

What Is The Difference Between Physical Therapy And Occupational Therapy?

The primary focus of Physical Therapy (PT) is to help restore and improve physical function, mobility, and strength. This is done by targeting specific body parts or systems through specific exercises, mobility, stretching, etc. Occupational therapy, on the other hand, addresses a much broader range of activities, as it includes daily living skills, including self-care work, leisure, and social participation. The goal of occupational therapy is to help patients adapt and overcome challenges by engaging in activities.

What Conditions Do Occupational Therapy Assistants Treat?

Occupational therapy assistants work under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist. The occupational therapy assistants help treat a variety of conditions, including orthopedic injuries, neurological conditions (traumatic brain injury, stroke, etc.), developmental disorders, age-related conditions (arthritis, dementia, etc.), and mental health conditions.

Why Would A Child Need Occupational Therapy?

Children with difficulties in sensory processing, fine motor skills, self-care tasks (feeding, dressing, etc.), attention and focus problems, social skills, or developmental delays may need occupational therapy to support their development, improve their skills, and boost their ability to participate in daily activities, especially school tasks.

Is Occupational Therapy Hard To Study?

As with other fields, the difficulty in studying occupational therapy depends on the individual’s specific circumstances and personal aptitude. Programs typically require a strong foundation in science and healthcare-related subjects, as well as hands-on clinical experience. As with other fields in healthcare, it requires hard work, dedication, and passion for helping others.

What Is The Highest-Paying Occupational Therapy Job?

The highest-paying occupational therapy job varies widely from different factors, including specialization, experience, work setting, and of course, geographical location. Some high-paying options in the field of occupational therapy are in specialized areas, such as mental health, geriatrics, and hand therapy. Thus, pursuing advanced certifications or becoming a faculty member of an occupational therapy program is a good career choice.

Why Is Occupational Therapy Not Well Known?

Compared to other healthcare professions, occupational therapy is not as well-known, primarily due to historical reasons and the lack of public awareness. However, the field has been growing in both importance and recognition in the past few years, as the efficacy of its approach and the benefits of its methods have improved more and more people’s lives.

What Type Of Patients Do Occupational Therapists See?

Occupational therapists see patients across the lifespan, from newborns to older adults. They work with people who have a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to physical injuries, disabilities, neurological disorders, developmental delays, chronic illnesses, age-related conditions, and even mental health conditions. Occupational therapists tailor their approach and interventions based on the specific needs and goals of each patient.

Who Would Benefit From Occupational Therapy?

People suffering from developmental delays, physical disabilities, recovering from injuries, neurological disorders, mental health conditions, cerebral palsy, and even chronic illnesses would definitely benefit from occupational therapy. An occupational therapist provides support in improving the daily function, independence, and well-being of the patient.

How Do I Know If I Need OT?

If you are experiencing challenges or limitations in your daily activities, such as doing self-care routines, performing work-related tasks, or simply participating in meaningful activities in life due to physical, mental, or emotional difficulties, then you may need to consult an occupational therapist. An occupational therapy professional can provide treatment plans to help you live out your daily life, even continuing education or assistance.

Occupational therapists can assess your specific needs and help determine whether the therapy would be beneficial for you.

How Do Occupational Therapies Support People?

Occupational therapy supports people in so many ways by addressing their specific needs and goals. Occupational therapists work using a holistic approach to develop or regain skills, implement strategies to improve their ability to engage in daily activities and promote independence, adapt to their environment, and more importantly, improve overall function and quality of life. Thus, working with occupational therapists allows individuals to consider job opportunities for adults with ADHD.

Is OT Meaningful?

Occupational therapy focuses on helping the specific needs of the individual. By addressing their physical, psychological, emotional, and environmental circumstances, OTs can support and help bring joy, fulfillment, a sense of independence, and purpose to anyone’s life. Therapists work closely with their patients using health science concepts to ensure an improved quality of life.

Does This Kind Of Treatment Improve Quality Of Life?

Yes, absolutely. OT has been shown to improve the quality of life for many people. By focusing on improving functional abilities, promoting independence, and addressing the barriers that keep people from participating in their daily life activities, OT can help people achieve greater autonomy, meaning, and a sense of well-being.

How Long Should Occupational Therapy Last?

The duration of this type of therapy varies depending on the specific needs and goals of the patient. It can range from a few sessions (sessions to address the specific issues) to several months or even longer (for more complex conditions and goals).

Occupational therapy is a goal-oriented therapeutic approach. OTs and clients will regularly review the progress and adjust accordingly to meet the treatment plan as needed.

Is Occupational Therapy Proven?

Yes, countless studies by the Occupational Therapy Association have demonstrated the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions, specifically in improving functional outcomes and improving the quality of life of patients. This is because the practice involves addressing a wide range of conditions and continuously evaluating and adapting interventions based on the latest evidence to give the clients the best possible care. The therapy association also updates its techniques as best as possible.

Rewarding Good Behaviors

Parenting a child with ADHD is never easy. Their brains are wired differently than the other kids of the same age. In fact, brain scans show that their brain is actually three years behind their peers. Understanding their condition is very important. According to Jay Belsky Ph.D., “Rewards are more effective than punishment when dealing with children.”

If you want your child with AHD to behave better, there are so called behavior motivations that you can do to help your child. They are sometimes called rewards and consequences. You need to know that rewarding your child is not the same as bribing them. It simply means that when your child correctly does what you told him/her, she/he will earn a reward for it.  Consequences are not punishments. They simply mean withholding a reward that you are supposed to give your child because of an inappropriate behavior, and your child is given an explanation why this is the case. “Most children are motivated by positive feedback of any kind from grownups, and targeted praise and reward can help improve behavior all on their own,” Dr. Mark Bertin, MD explains.

Below are some tips on how you can do the reward system:

 

Reward Chart

Make a chart wherein you can list down the good behaviors which can make your child earn tokens. Once they reach a number of tokens required or if their jar is full of tokens already, they can earn something like the toy they want or they can go to the movies. “Star charts are useful for reinforcing positive behaviors such as being ready for school on time, brushing their teeth, or having a day without incidents at school,” Marilyn Wedge Ph.D. says. The goal here is to reduce the inappropriate behaviors and to encourage the good behaviors of the child.

Source: childdevelopmentinfo.com

 

Cash

Depending on the age level, sometimes cash is a good motivation factor to make your child do what you say. Simply make a chart of tasks that your child needs to complete. For every task, they earn coins and for every task taken for granted coins will be deducted from their pool of cash or allowance.

Sleepovers or Play dates

Another good motivation depending on your child’s age is time with friends. They get to play and have fun or do some sleepovers once they have completed their tasks such as homework.

Source: pinterest.com

 

Special Time with Parents

Special date with parents can also be a good reward. Like if they behave or if they earned enough good behavior points, you can make your child choose what kind of activity they want to do with you. Maybe a lunch out to a resto they like or a hobby they enjoy doing.

 

Gadgets Time

Kids nowadays are so into gadgets and the internet. Make this as their motivation to behave well by giving them the time they can freely use their iPods, cell phones, TV, and the internet.

 

Treats

A reward can be as simple as treating your child to his/her favorite ice cream or chocolate after doing a house chore or school work.

 

Wish List

Another good motivation is by creating a wish list of your child. Ask them to make a list and for every good behavior, they can earn points. Once their points are enough for a certain wish on their wish list, they get to have that wish.

Source: adhdmomma.com

Positive Feedback

An intangible reward you can use to make your child behave or act better is by the use of positive messages and feedbacks. If they did something nice, remember to appreciate and praise them. Send them simple but positive messages. But remember not to over praise as well

Homeschooling Kids With ADHD

Source: c8schools.com

There have been multiple instances where the traditional school approach has failed children with ADHD, leaving parents to scratch their heads in frustration. There is always a hungry search for the perfect schooling alternative that works for your child, but it doesn’t always lead to a good match. This leads to transferring schools, registering your child in special-needs class, or worse – letting go of education. But, there is no need to fret; many studies have shown that homeschooling a child with ADHD is very effective and benefitting to the student.

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My Son’s Double Diagnosis: ASD With ADHD

source: sg.theasianparent.com

When the Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrician told me a year ago that my son has ADHD, I was relieved. I had that feeling all along and it was a thorn off my chest to get that validation from a specialist. At least, I don’t have to speculate anymore. I used to answer people with an “I don’t know. I’m not sure. Still waiting for our appointment to come.” And they would say – “I really think he has ADHD. His behavior is not normal.” I would just roll my eyes.

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Disabilities and Disorders Associated with ADHD

Introduction

It is a misconception that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is considered a learning disability. This is because ADHD is usually accompanied by certain learning disabilities, at least 30% of them do.  Anthony Henley, PsyD, wrote, “The standard definition of a learning disability is the presence of a significant discrepancy between a student’s cognitive potential and their documented academic achievement.” Technically, a child with ADHD is characterized by difficulty focusing and paying attention, which is most likely the reason why he does not effectively learn without help. ADHD kids who have one or more learning disabilities make it more difficult for them to communicate effectively and understand what others are trying to tell them, as they have trouble organizing their thoughts as well.

 

Source: Wisegeek.net

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Choosing The Right Therapist For Your ADHD Child

 

Source: Positivekids.ca

A few decades ago, there was no telling whether your child was just being a child or if he had something that was out of the ordinary. Parents didn’t usually worry when their children were more active than the other students in school, or if they were a little more ‘off’ than your neighbors’ kids. Perhaps your child had a schoolmate who was always alone and played all by himself and the other kids would call him ‘freak’ or ‘odd’ but there was never any official diagnosis about children like them.

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ADHD And Autism: Knowing The Difference

When my niece turned 3, we noticed that she was different. She was bubblier, more active, and more loud. We couldn’t let her sit still for a few minutes, and it’s just so difficult to let her pay attention. My sister asked me once, “Is something wrong with her? Is she autistic or something?” I said, “She’s just being a kid.”

 

Source: Newtimes.co.rw

 

Two years after, we finally decided to have her evaluated by an occupational therapist from her school. The OT’s notes revealed that my niece had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and was advised to have her diagnosed by a specialist.

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5 Great Apps To Increase Productivity in ADHD Students

12-year old David, who was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), was called on by his guidance counselor because of his incredibly low grades. David confessed that he was having difficulty organizing his time and concentrating on doing his homework, so his counselor recommended 5 apps that he can use to level his mind. Now, 13-year old David is a straight A student who is admired by both his teachers and peers. It’s all because of those 5 apps listed below.

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