Occupational therapy, which is used in the treatment of geriatric, neurological and pediatric diseases, especially psychiatric diseases such as autism, epilepsy, attention deficit and hyperactivity, aims to improve the quality of life of individuals; It aims to ensure their participation in social life. Occupational therapy specialist Shahram Mohseni said, "Occupational therapy plays an important role in gaining independence in groups such as the elderly, individuals with special needs, neurological diseases, congenital or subsequent disability, limb rupture, by evaluating daily life skills and making a treatment plan accordingly."
October 27 has been commemorated as World Occupational Therapy Day since 2010. It is aimed to introduce occupational therapy and raise awareness on this special day determined under the leadership of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.
Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy Lecturer and Occupational Therapy Specialist Shahram Mohseni said that occupational therapy works to ensure the daily life activities and social participation of healthy and disadvantaged individuals and to improve the quality of life.
Occupational therapy, person-centered health profession
Shahram Mohseni said that according to the World Health Organization (WHO), occupational therapy is "a person-centered health profession that improves health and well-being through meaningful and purposeful activities".
Noting that the main purpose of occupational therapy is to enable people to gain their independence by focusing on daily living activities, Shahram Mohseni said, "Especially on individuals with special needs who are excluded from society, both environmental arrangements, adaptive equipment, and person-centered studies on the individual eliminate the disadvantaged situation and ensure the social participation of the individual."
The working areas of occupational therapy are very diverse
Shahram Mohseni noted that occupational therapy aims to improve the self-care and independent living skills of individuals with physical, mental, social, emotional, sensory and behavioral problems who need special treatment and to live in harmony with society within the scope of equal opportunity for each individual. Mohseni listed the working areas of occupational therapy as follows:
- Psychiatric Rehabilitation
- Hand Rehabilitation
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Community Based Rehabilitation
- Oncologic Rehabilitation
- Cognitive Rehabilitation
- Individuals with Disabilities
- Assistive technology
- Geriatric Rehabilitation
- Neurological Rehabilitation
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
It is used in many areas from autism to Down Syndrome
Shahram Mohseni noted that occupational therapy is generally used in the treatment of psychiatric, geriatric, neurological, pediatric disease groups and said, "It is used in the treatment of diseases such as autism, epilepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, mental retardation, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palcy (polio), stroke (paralysis), Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and schizophrenia."
The treatment process starts when the patient forgets his/her disease
Mohseni noted that since occupational therapy is a person-centered field, treatment results and contributions to health vary according to people, environment and environment, "Occupational therapy generally contributes to the development of behavioral problems, sensory problems and mental processes in children. We know that the treatment process begins when the patient forgets the disease even for a moment. In order for the disease to be forgotten, the patient must gain independence. Occupational therapy plays an important role in gaining the independence of the elderly, individuals with special needs, neurological diseases, congenital or acquired disability, limb rupture, etc. It plays an important role in gaining the independence of people by evaluating the daily living skills of the groups and making a treatment plan accordingly. To summarize briefly, it contributes to the general treatment by enabling the patient to gain independence and participate in the society."
Stating that occupational therapy can be applied at all age levels, Shahram Mohseni said, "According to the World Health Organization, age classification is determined as 0-17 adolescents, 18-65 young, 66-79 middle age, 80-99 elderly. Occupational therapy is used on individuals of all ages. The main goal is to help people gain independence and improve their quality of life."
