What is occupational therapy and how does it fit in with foster care?
Occupational therapy is a unique form of therapy that uses a holistic approach to treat individuals across the lifespan. Occupations or meaningful daily activities are used to enable each person to achieve their highest level of independence and quality of life.
Foster care is a system designed to provide temporary protection and well-being for children who are living in an at risk or unsafe environment.
OT in Foster Care:
Improve outcomes.
Promote healthy development through education, intervention, and advocacy.
Support for physical, social, behavioral and emotional needs.
Facilitate healing.
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The role of occupational therapy in the foster care system is to improve the quality of life for children through evidence-based interventions, advocate for children and families, educate caregivers about development and available resources, and employ a holistic, trauma-informed approach.
What skills does OT target?
Executive functioning
Fine motor
Problem solving
Gross motor
Visual perceptual
Social emotional regulation
Reflex integration
Proprioception
Visual motor
Feeding and sensory
Social participation
DAILY LIVING SKILLS