Occupational therapy utilizes goal-oriented activities to assess and treat individuals with disabilities, aiming to help them achieve a healthy balance of occupations. Services are provided across various setups, including hospitals and community centers, with a structured intervention process comprising evaluation, goal setting, therapy planning, and progress monitoring. Specific activities are tailored to address different disorders, focusing on skills development and fostering a sense of accomplishment.

1. UNIT - V
OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY

2. Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is the application of goal
oriented, purposeful activity in the assessment and treatment
of individuals with psychological, physical or developmental
disabilities.

3. Goal
The main goal is to enable the patient to achieve a
healthy balance of occupations through the development of
skills that will allow him to function at a level satisfactory to
himself and others.

4. Settings
Occupational therapy is provided to children,
adolescents, adults and elderly patients. These programs are
offered in psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation
centers, special schools, community group homes,
community mental health centers, day care centers, halfway
homes and de-addiction centers.

5. Advantages
Helps to develop social skills and provide an outlet for self-
expression.
Strengthens ego defenses.
Develops a more realistic view of the self in relation to
others.

6. Points to be Kept in Mind
The client should be involved as much as possible in selecting the
activity.
Select an activity that interests or has the potential to interest him.
The activity should utilize the client's strengths and abilities.
The activity should be of short duration to foster a feeling of
accomplishment.
If possible, the selected activity should provide some new experience for
the client.

7. Process of Intervention
It consists of six stages:
1. Initial evaluation of what patient can do and cannot do in a
variety of situations over a period of time.
2. Development of immediate and long-term goals by the patient
and therapist together. Goals should be concrete and measurable
so that it is easy to see when they have been attained.
3. Development of therapy plan with planned intervention.

8. Cont…,
4. Implementation of the plan and monitoring the progress.
The plan is followed until the first evaluation. If satisfactory
it is continued, or altered if not.
5. Review meetings with patient and all the staff involved in
treatment.
6. Setting further goals when immediate goals have been
achieved, modifying the treatment program as relevant.

9. Types of Activities

10. 1. Diversional activities:
These activities are used to divert one's thoughts from
life stresses or to fill time. For example, organized games.

11. 2. Therapeutic activities:
These activities are used to attain a specific care plan
or goal. For example, basket making, carpentry, etc.

12. Suggested Occupational Activities for
Psychiatric Disorders

13. Anxiety disorder
Simple concrete tasks with no more than 3 or 4 steps
that can be learnt quickly.
For example: kitchen tasks, washing, sweeping,
mopping, mowing lawn and weeding gardens.

14. Depressive disorder
Simple concrete tasks which are achievable; it is
important for the client to experience success. Provide
positive reinforcement after each achievement.
For example: crafts, mowing lawn, weeding gardens.

15. Manic disorder
Non-competitive activities that allow the use of
energy and expression of feelings. Activities should be
limited and changed frequently. Client needs to work in an
area away from distractions.
For example: raking grass, sweeping, etc.

16. Schizophrenia (paranoid)
Non-competitive, solitary meaningful tasks that
require some degree of concentration so that less time is
available to focus on delusions.
For example: puzzles, scrabble.

17. Schizophrenia (catatonic)
Simple concrete tasks in which client is actively
involved. Client needs continuous supervision, and at first
works best on a one-to-one basis.
For example: metal work, molding clay, etc.

18. Antisocial personality
Activities that enhance self esteem and are expressive
and creative, but not too complicated. Client needs
supervision to make sure each task is completed.
For example: leather work, painting etc.

19. Dementia
Group activities to increase feeling of belonging and
self-worth. Provide those activities which promote familiar
individual hobbies. Activities need to be structured, requiring
little time for completion and not much concentration.
Explain and demonstrate each task, then have client repeat
the demonstration.
For example: cover making, packing goods.

20. Substance abuse
Group activities in which client uses his talents.
For example: involving client in planning social
activities, encouraging interaction with others, etc.

21. Childhood and adolescent disorders
Children: Playing, story telling, painting, poetry, music, etc.
Adolescents: Creative activities such as leather work,
drawing, painting.
Mental retardation: Repetitive work assignments are ideal;
provide positive reinforcement after each achievement. For
example, cover making, candle making, packaging goods,
etc.

22. Thank you