Adult Occupational Therapy

Are you or a loved one experiencing autism, ADD/ADHD, or another developmental disability?

Does chronic anxiety as a result of sensory processing disorder hold you back from living your best life?

Are you the caregiver of a student that is participating in a Special Education Transition program but could benefit from extra help to work toward gaining independent living skills?

If so, adult occupational therapy may be able to help you or a loved one.

Occupational therapy might not be a household name like other healthcare practitioners, but working with an occupational therapist can help transform and improve a person’s quality of life for the better.

Read on to find out more about occupational therapy for adults, and how it can help.

What Is Adult Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is a form of health care that helps people cope with and move past the problems that prevent them from fully enjoying life.

Whether a result of an injury, illness, genetic disorders, aging, or something else, you may face a life-changing event that holds you back from living life the way you used to.

This can range from not being able to continue the hobbies and leisure activities you enjoy, to career difficulties, to even basic self-care.

Occupational therapy providers, either occupational therapists (OTs) or occupational therapy assistants (COTAs) can work in a number of different areas, including long-term care facilities, schools, hospitals, and private clinics.

In order to practice occupational therapy in Oregon, you must hold a valid license from the state following receiveing a degree from a school accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association, complete a six month internship, and pass a certification and ethics exam.

Why Choose Us For Occupational Therapy?

Regardless of your reason for seeking out occupational therapy services, you know how big a decision it is.

It’s been difficult for you to accomplish the things you used to do, and you need help. Naturally, you want to make sure you get access to the best occupational therapy solution for your unique needs.

So, why choose New Horizons Wellness Services?

First of all, we understand the complexity of the challenges you’re facing. Whether they hold you back from your hobbies and leisure activities or day-to-day self care items like showering or grooming, it’s not something that can wait.

As a result, we work hard to keep our waiting lists short. When you book an appointment at New Horizons Wellness Services, you’ll see a specialist within days, not months.

At New Horizons Wellness Services, you’ll get access to a customized treatment plan designed to meet your unique needs. Whether you’ve seen an occupational therapist before or this is your first time, we’ll build a plan for you.

The clinic is easy to navigate, having been chosen specifically with mobility needs in mind. So when you arrive, you won’t need to worry about navigating a labyrinth of elevators and corridors.

Along with the need for occupational therapy may come the need for additional support as well. It’s not uncommon to feel anxious, depressed, or frustrated. Here at New Horizons Wellness Services, you’ll find therapists who can help you through such issues as well.

If you’re working through a period of transition, or greater social or career demands, living with limitations can make it even more difficult. Here at New Horizons Wellness Services, your occupational therapist will provide you with new, age-appropriate tools to help you meet your goals.

Whatever your occupational therapy concerns, New Horizons Wellness Services can help.

What Conditions Can Adult Occupational Therapy Provide Treatment For?

Occupational therapists can help with a wide range of different health ailments. Broadly speaking, if you have a condition that holds you back from living a full, independent life, an occupational therapist can help.

While there is a wide range of conditions occupational therapy can help with, below you’ll find more information on our areas of special interest here at New Horizons Wellness Services.

Adult Occupational Therapy Treatments For Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Do you have a hard time adapting to changes in your environment, or find yourself stuck in a routine?

Do you find yourself overstimulated by busy environments, causing you to miss out on employment or social opportunities?

Are household chores or other activities of daily living stressful because of overwhelming smells, sounds, or textures?

If so, these are some of the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Though ASD is often diagnosed in childhood, those who grew up in less privileged environments or who have milder symptoms may not get a diagnosis until they become an adult. What we now call autism spectrum disorder refers to a range of different symptoms and severities in conditions that used to be considered separate. These include asperger’s syndrome, autism, and childhood disintegrative disorder.

Other than what’s mentioned above, some of the common signs of ASD in adults include:

  • Preference for spending time alone
  • Heavy reliance on routine
  • Social anxiety
  • Monotone speech pattern
  • Involuntary noises or habits
  • Difficulty with coordination
  • Highly specific and focused interests
  • Difficulty with change
  • Difficulty forming close friendships
  • Difficulty maintaining eye contact
  • Difficulty managing emotions
  • Difficulty with conversations
  • Difficulty understanding nuanced speech, like sarcasm
  • Difficulty understanding facial expressions
  • Difficulty understanding body language
  • Difficulty with sensory processing

If you relate with the above statements, you may have ASD.

Ongoing research is beginning to find an overlap between neurodivergent people (those with ASD) and those who identify as transgender or nonbinary as well. Each issue causes its own complications, but when paired together they can make things even more challenging.

Occupational therapy treatments at New Horizons Wellness Services can help.

Your occupational therapist can help you by exploring the different aspects of your life where you have difficulty. From there, they will help you with strategies and skills designed to allow you to better cope with the challenges life throws at you. The goal of occupational therapy for autism is to improve your quality of life.

Rather than trying to “cure” you, your occupational therapist will work with you to:

• More effectively manage your emotional state
• Develop self-soothing skills to manage anxiety
• Develop sensory processing routines that meet your adult needs
• Develop workplace problem solving skills
• Develop environmental modification & coping techniques
• Learn how to develop greater focus
• Explore the use of adaptive equipment to address your needs
• Transition into different stages of your life (high school to college, college to career, etc)
• And more…

If you think you may have autism spectrum disorder, contact New Horizons Wellness Services. We’ll help you understand what your next steps are. And if you already know you have autism spectrum disorder, we can provide you with an occupational therapist who can help.

Adult Occupational Therapy Treatments For Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD)

When you think of a disorder like ADD/ADHD, you might think of it as something kids deal with. However, there’s a growing body of research that shows adults are affected by it as well – in fact, this 2005 study suggests that between 3 and 6% of the adult population deals with ADD/ADHD – that’s 6.3 to 12.6 million Americans.

Are you one of them? Certainly, difficulty focusing is one symptom. But there’s more to it than that. If you relate with any of the following, you may have ADD/ADHD:

  • Difficulty focusing
  • Poor planning & time management skills
  • Difficulty with multitasking
  • A short temper
  • Getting frustrated easily
  • Being impulsive
  • Restlessness
  • Mood swings
  • Being forgetful or absent-minded
  • Difficulty completing tasks
  • Being disorganized

If you do have any of the above symptoms, you may just assume that’s the way you are. Maybe you have more trouble focusing than the average person. Maybe you need to just apply yourself more, or eat less sugar, or develop better discipline. None of these will hurt, but the important point is to address the root cause of your issues.

Occupational therapy treatments at New Horizons Wellness Services can help.

Your occupational therapist will take an inventory of your daily life, and consider some of the issues ADD/ADHD presents. This includes your:

  • Working life
  • School work
  • Family responsibilities
  • Social responsibilities
  • Interpersonal relationships
  • Changing careers
  • Moving from school to the workforce
  • Moving from foster care/state custody to adulthood

From there, you’ll work together with your occupational therapist to develop strategies to help you better cope with your ADD/ADHD, organizing your life, physical coordination, and more.

ADD/ADHD can be a difficult disorder to live with, in part because you may not even realize you have it. However, there is hope. Occupational therapy treatments for ADD/ADHD at New Horizons Wellness Services may help you get a better handle on your life.

Contact us today to find out how.

Adult Occupational Therapy Treatments For Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

If you struggle with depression or anxiety, you know it’s an invisible disease. You may not look like you’re struggling, but that doesn’t make it any less difficult.

There are a number of different possible causes of anxiety or depression. If yours is triggered by sensory processing disorder (SPD), you may benefit from occupational therapy.

What is sensory processing disorder? It’s a disorder where the sensory information you receive isn’t properly processed by your brain. It’s not an impairment of the senses – most people with SPD can see, hear, etc. just fine. The difference is in how your brain processes this data.

If you relate to any of the following, you may have sensory processing disorder:

  • You don’t like to be touched
  • You have difficulty starting your day, despite getting a full night’s rest
  • You’re overwhelmed by visually or auditorily stimulating environments
  • You have trouble learning new skills, especially when they’re motor skills
  • You have difficulty staying focused
  • You have to read something several times before you understand what it says
  • You stumble over your words, but you don’t have a stutter
  • You’re klutzy or uncoordinated
  • You start several tasks at once and don’t end up finishing any of them
  • You need to have a concept explained several times before you get it
  • You have trouble organizing your thoughts and ideas

We don’t yet know exactly what causes SPD, though genetic or prenatal factors may contribute to it.

You may be surprised to learn these symptoms have a name and treatment attached to it. But it is, and an occupational therapist can help you cope. Your occupational therapist will work with you to adapt your responsibilities to your condition, helping make it easier for you to do the things you need to do and giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Your occupational therapist will examine the different roles you hold in your world – family member, parent, worker, student, friend – as well as the things you like to do in your leisure time. By giving you the tools you need to be able to fulfill the responsibilities each of these roles has, you’ll be better able to function in your daily life.

Your occupational therapist may also consider issues of self-esteem, identity, self-worth, and time management. By combining mental health practices with practical skills, your occupational therapist can improve your quality of life.

To find out more about how occupational therapy can help, contact New Horizons Wellness Services.

Occupational Therapy Treatments For Adults With Other Developmental Disabilities

Adults with developmental disabilities need the same things anyone else does – to be active, independent, and part of their community.

Of course, if you or a loved one lives with a developmental disability, your life will look a little different than it does for the rest of us, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still live a happy, healthy, fulfilled life.

The goal of occupational therapy is to help you better participate in the activities of your daily living. Whether that’s your career, your daily self-care needs, or anything else, New Horizons Wellness Services is here to help.

There are a wide variety of different developmental disabilities for which occupational therapy can help, including:

  • Cerebral palsy
  • Down syndrome
  • Fetal alcohol syndrome
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Rett Syndrome
  • Fragile X syndrome
  • Vision impairment
  • Hearing impairment
  • Intellectual disability
  • Tourette Syndrome

If you have an adult loved one dealing with a developmental disability, New Horizons Wellness Services will also provide you with the tools you need to both support them and maintain your own mental health.

To find out how occupational therapy treatments from New Horizons Wellness Services can help you or a loved one live a more fulfilling life, contact us today.

Occupational Therapy Treatments For Transition-Age Adults

Transitioning to a new stage of life is always complicated. No matter how smooth you expect it to be, there are always hiccups.

This can become even more complex if you’re dealing with a physical or mental disability.

Some transitions are unexpected, like in the case of a life-changing injury or disability. Others are more expected, like:

  • Graduating high school
  • Transitioning from state custody/foster care to adulthood
  • Finding a new job
  • Taking on more responsibilities at work or in college
  • Dealing with new social pressures
  • Changes in mobility needs
  • Changes in nutritional or medicinal needs
  • Changes in other activities of daily life

Whatever it is your transition looks like, New Horizons Wellness Services can help.

Your occupational therapist will help you prepare for your new life situation in a way that maximizes your independence and minimizes your stress. That way, you can move into your new phase of life with the confidence that can only come from being fully prepared.

Adult Occupational Therapy Treatments For Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Traumatic brain injury can take many different forms. Regardless, however, it’s a persistent issue throughout the United States. Data from the CDC tells us that there are nearly 3 million hospital visits in the US annually related to TBI.

A traumatic brain injury is caused by some sort of blunt force or piercing blow to the head. However, not all head injuries lead to a TBI. The hallmark of a TBI is that it disrupts the way your brain normally functions.

Some are considered fairly mild, like a concussion, while others can lead to an extended period of unconsciousness or a coma, as well as partial or full amnesia.

In many cases, traumatic brain injury can leave lasting effects that can interfere with your ability to continue living life the way you did before. Some potential effects include:

  • Poor attention span
  • Chronic headaches
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Depression & irritability
  • Poor emotional regulation
  • Frequent nausea or vomiting (especially early on)
  • Insomnia
  • Dizziness
  • Difficulty balancing
  • Impaired motor function
  • Muscle weakness
  • Sensitivity to bright lights or loud noises
  • Memory difficulties
  • Impaired vision
  • Impaired hearing
  • Coma/vegetative state

Occupational therapists can help with many different aspects of traumatic brain injury. Depending on the situation, your occupational therapist may be able to help with:

• Improving your motor functions
• Coping with a cognitive impairment
• Coping with visual or hearing impairments or sensory processing changes
• Coping with emotional or behavioral impairments
• Re-integrating into social situations and community based activity

To find out how adult occupational therapy for traumatic brain injury can help, contact New Horizons Wellness Services today.

Occupational Therapy Services For Seniors

It happens to the most fortunate of us. We grow old, and our parts start to wear out. It becomes more and more difficult to continue living independently, but the prospect of a retirement home isn’t appealing to many folks.

In cases like this, occupational therapy may help.

Your occupational therapist can work with you to address your everyday activities, and how you can perform them in different ways that might be easier for you. This can help you stay at home longer.

Part of your occupational therapist’s job will be to assess your living situation, and make recommendations on how you can modify your home to better address your needs and avoid injury. This may include things like:

• Adding a ramp or stair lift
• Widening walkways to allow for mobility devices
• Moving more frequently used items closer to arm level
• Re-adjusting to life with Parkinson’s disease or after a stroke

With the help of an occupational therapist, you may be able to remain in your home for longer, so you can continue enjoying your neighborhood and daily routines. Contact New Horizons Wellness to find out more.

Book An Appointment With New Horizons Wellness Services

Are you struggling with one of the above listed conditions?

Has your life become more difficult due to an injury or onset of an illness?

Or, has life always been more difficult for you as a result of a genetic disorder or an early childhood injury?

New Horizons Wellness Services can help.

Book an appointment with a New Horizons Wellness Services occupational therapist, and find out how you can do the things you need to do more easily and with less pain.

Book an appointment with New Horizons Wellness Services today.