Occupational therapy is a multidimensional approach given to a people with injuries and disability focusing on improving the patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living. It is a global healthcare profession that involves the use of assignment and intervention to develop recover or maintains the meaningful activities or occupation of individuals, groups or communities.
Occupational therapy mainly focuses on:
- Children with disability.
- Mental dysfunction rehabilitation.
- Physical injury rehabilitation.
- Advocating for patient health.
What does occupational therapist do?
- Assess the patient conditions.
- Develop treatment plans.
- Recommend to change to patient home and work settings to fit their needs.
- Rehabilitate patients with the use of equipments.
- Assess and monitor the progress.
What is autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neuron-developmental condition characterized by impaired social communication skills, restricted and repetitive behavior and isolated area of interest.
Based on the statistic from the US department of education and other government agencies, autism is growing at a rate of 10-17 % per year. According to recent data of CDC published in march 26, 2020, one in 54 children had a diagnosis of ASD by age 8 in 2016, a nearly 10% increase over 2014 when the estimate was 1 in 59. Studies in Asia, Europe and North America have identified individuals with ASD with an average of about 1%. A study on South Korea reported a prevalence of 2.6%.
Autism Spectrum Disorder in Nepal
There is no reliable estimate for Nepal as autism is not known to many people. There is lack of awareness regarding autism in Nepal. Also due to weak diagnosis for ASD in Nepal. It is estimated that there are about 250,000-300,000 persons with autism (PWA) in Nepal. Among them about 60000-90000 PWA’s are severely affected. There is four times more prevalence in boys than in girls.
Sign and symptoms of ASD.
Social communication and social interaction
- Avoid or no eye contact.
- Do not show facial expression.
- Uses few or no gesture by 12 months of age.
- Do not share interest with others by 15 months of age.
- Do not point to show you something interestingly by 18 months of age.
Restricted or repetitive behavior
- Repeat word or phrases over and over.
- Plays with toys the same way every time.
- Gets upset by minor changes.
- Spin self in circles.
Other symptoms
- Delayed language skill.
- Delayed movement skills.
- Delayed cognitive or learning skill.
- Hyperactive impulsive and inattentive behavior.
- Epilepsy or seizure disorder.
- Unusual mood or emotional Reaction.
- Unusual eating and sleeping habits.
Treatment (OT)
- Focusing on sensory integration and sensory based Strategies.
- Emphasizing mental health and wellness.
- Implementing emotional development and self regulation strategies and programs.
- Organizing pee group, social participation and play activities.
- Improving self care routing to help with daily activities Such as Bathing feeding and grooming.
- Working on mental development.
- Using cognitive development approaches to support positive behavior.
Benefits after OT
The main n goal of OT or autism is to improve the patient quality of life through into intervention.
- Focus on academic task.
- Communication appropriately.
- Maintain and faster relationship.
- Work with other to achieve a common goal or purpose.
- Express emotions in a healthy productive way and regulate arousal level.
- Become more independent and confident.
- Fell less anxious.
By: Anima Gadal, Physiotherapist