What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is a form of rehabilitative healthcare that aims to improve, restore, and uphold a patient’s ability to perform daily functions despite the presence of a limiting health condition. In order to increase the patient’s levels of personal participation in school, at work, at home, or in public, occupational therapists focus on modifying and personalizing skills in ways that adapt to the patient’s different environments. Throughout this page our Detroit, Michigan birth injury attorneys will discuss occupational therapy for cerebral palsy and explain the positive benefits it has on overall function and well-being.
At Michigan Cerebral Palsy Attorneys, our experienced birth injury attorneys understand the complicated issues surrounding medical malpractice lawsuits. If you suspect medical negligence caused your loved one’s birth injury, we encourage you to reach out for legal help. Our attorneys are available to speak with you 24/7, and they will provide you with a free legal consultation in order to determine the cause of your loved one’s injuries. You may contact the birth injury lawyers at Michigan Cerebral Palsy Attorneys in any of the following ways:
Call our Detroit, Michigan birth injury law firm toll-free at (888) 592-1857
Complete this online contact form
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Occupational Therapy for Cerebral Palsy
Occupational therapy for children with cerebral palsy focuses on increasing their abilities to function independently in daily life. Exercises focus on activities like feeding, dressing, toileting, grooming, and transferring in order to support their abilities to do these activities themselves with or without the use of adaptive equipment.
To accomplish this, occupational therapists concentrate on:
- Determining the methods by which children can learn to complete tasks
- Breaking down essential tasks into smaller, modified steps
- Encouraging the child to develop a sense of place in her school, community, or environment
- Emphasizing a child’s desire for accomplishment, enjoyment, and independence.
In intensive occupational therapy, therapists assign activity-based interventions to those with wrist, forearm, or thumb muscle spasticity to improve upper limb use and to advance a child’s ability to take personal care of herself. Two types of activity-based interventions include modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) and bimanual intensive rehabilitation training (IRP).
The Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Individuals with Cerebral Palsy
Occupational therapy patients ultimately…
- Develop a daily routing
- Cope with the challenges and emotions of cerebral palsy
- Adapt to abilities, not limitations
- Pursue interests, hobbies, and activities
- Interact with other people and taking part in a community
- Understand the importance of daily activities
- Respond to the demands of everyday life
- Develop problem solving and critical thinking skills
- Learn to adapt and compensate
Occupational Therapy, Assistive Technology, and Adaptive Equipment
Children with severe cerebral palsy benefit from occupational therapy and adaptive equipment. Therapists will teach children to use specialized equipment and assistive technologies including:
- Rotating desks
- Computers with pre-programmed language (if the child cannot speak)
- Custom modelling to meet special needs
- Equipment to move a child from reclined to seated positions
- Computerized environmental control systems
- Individualized chairs that maintain proper position for eating and breathing
Legal Help for Cerebral Palsy in Michigan
Attorneys Helping Malpractice Victims Obtain Funds for Occupational Therapy for Cerebral Palsy
If your child suffered a birth injury from an instance of medical negligence and now requires occupational therapy, don’t hesitate to contact our skilled Michigan cerebral palsy and birth injury attorneys. Affording occupational therapy for cerebral palsy is, unfortunately, financially out of reach for a number of families—if your child’s injuries resulted from medical malpractice, your family deserves the compensation necessary to afford health care and lifestyle resources. Contact our Detroit, Michigan birth injury lawyers toll-free at (888) 592-1857, complete this online contact form, or Live Chat with a representative today to schedule your free legal consultation. Michigan Cerebral Palsy Attorneys will not charge you until we win or settle in your favor.