OT month Archives - New Horizons Wellness Services

Occupational Therapy Month highlights how therapists help people of all ages build skills, improve independence, and participate in meaningful activities at home, school, work, and community life.! What do playing with play-do, climbing on a rock wall, organizing school supplies and learning how to cook have in common? All of these activities may be happening right now in an Occupational Therapy (OT) session at New Horizons Wellness Services. April is National Occupational Therapy Month. If you know an Occupational Therapist, ask them to share a story about someone that they helped this week. Chances are, it will bring a smile to your face. Occupational Therapists Help their Clients Live Life to the Fullest! Many people are confused by the title "occupational therapy," because the term "occupation" is generally associated with jobs adults perform. However, there is a broader view of "occupations" that includes being able to do the activities that are important to us every day. In OT, clients gain the ability to thrive in home, community, school or work. The goal of OT may be to increase performance levels, to restore functioning to a prior level, or to maintain current skills or prevent regression. At New Horizons Wellness Services, occupational therapists provide evaluation, intervention and consultation in motor skills, social interaction and play skills, sensory processing, executive functions for planning and organizing, pain management, self care and self regulation skills. In addition, we make home programs and recommendations for environmental adaptations for home and school settings. Pediatric OT is focused on working with children from toddlers through 18. We love working with teenagers to overcome the challenges of middle and high school. We help teens to develop the necessary skills so their transition into adulthood follows a path to an independent and rewarding life. Adult occupational therapy works with adults who are either seeking services for the first time due to new challenges or those who have done OT in the past, but need updated home programs or help to overcome a new challenge. Our occupational therapy team gets excited about helping clients be able to do the little things that are important to them every day. For example, we build skills such as tying shoes, getting dressed, being able to sit and focus on homework, making dinner, playing a game with a friend or learning what to do when feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated. To learn more about OT in general, visit the American Occupational Therapy Association’s web page at www.aota.org. If you have questions about how OT can help you or a family member, contact our office at 503-352-0240 and ask to speak to one of our Occupational Therapists. Conclusion In conclusion, occupational therapy is about far more than just helping people with their “jobs”—it’s about empowering individuals of all ages to participate fully in the daily activities that bring meaning and independence to their lives. Whether it’s a child learning to tie their shoes, a teenager managing school stress, or an adult navigating a new life challenge, OT helps people thrive at home, at school, at work, and in the community. At New Horizons Wellness Services, our passionate team of occupational therapists is committed to supporting each client’s unique goals with personalized care and evidence-based strategies. As we celebrate National Occupational Therapy Month, we invite you to recognize the vital role OT plays in helping people live life to the fullest. To find out how Occupational Therapy Services, including pediatric occupational therapy, occupational therapy for adults, and our supportive Counseling Services and Social Skills Group offerings, can benefit you or a loved one, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help make everyday milestones achievable and meaningful. Contact us now! Frequently Asked Questions: What types of challenges can occupational therapy help children and teens overcome? Occupational therapy can assist with a wide range of challenges including difficulties with motor skills, sensory processing, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and social interaction. Therapists tailor sessions to help children and teens develop independence in tasks like getting dressed, focusing on schoolwork, or managing stress. How does adult occupational therapy differ from pediatric occupational therapy? While pediatric OT focuses on developmental milestones and school-related tasks, adult OT supports individuals facing new physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges. This can include pain management, adapting to life changes, restoring function after injury, or maintaining skills to prevent decline. What is a home program and how is it used in occupational therapy? A home program is a personalized set of activities or strategies designed by an occupational therapist for clients to practice outside of therapy sessions. These programs support skill-building, reinforce progress, and help generalize new abilities into everyday environments like home or school.