Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists work with acute and chronic injures/health conditions to regain skills and develop new ones for participating in daily life.  They may help with managing behavior, using materials or equipment to make life easier and/or adapt the environment to work better for the client as they work to resume activities of daily living and enjoyment. 

• flexibility
• range of motion and strengthening
• manual techniques
• neuromuscular re-education
• sensory integration
• cognitive skills such as mood regulation and interpersonal communications
• life management skills such as schedule maintenance and financial organization
• adaptive device recommendations and use
• assessment of safety needs within the environment. 

Our Therapists and Therapy Assistants

• will initiate services upon receiving a referral by a medical professional (physician, Physician assistant or Nurse Practitioner) 
• perform an initial evaluation with detailed information about your medical history, your activities/abilities prior to your injuries as well as your current physical condition and abilities.  
• They will help create goals (short and long-term) to guide your treatment plan
• Create and advance your treatment plan according to your needs and progress
• conduct periodic reassessments to establish detailed information about your progress and modify your plan if needed.
• help to identify barriers for your progress and work with you and the interdisciplinary team to explore ways to overcome those barriers. 
• Communicate with other therapists involved with your care (I.e., speech therapists, physical therapists), Case managers, medical professionals,  family members/caregivers, etc.  to maximize your success as well as to ensure consistency and accuracy of information. 

Perhaps the most important tool for our therapists is our belief in teaching.  Our therapists strive to TEACH our clients and or their caregivers through EFFECTIVE education techniques for continuing their care and recovery long after their need for skilled therapy intervention.  This may involve:

• repeated actions/skills
• written guides with descriptions and/or pictures
• caregiver education
• asking patients to correctly demonstrate activities on a consistent basis
• helping to establish an accountability record to help patients track their exercises/activities. 

• Attended an accredited institution for Occupational Therapy education
• Maintain a current license in good standing for Occupational Therapy in the state of Michigan
• Pursue continuing education for Occuapational therapy issues/treatment strategies according to requirements but also to advance their knowledge and skill for the client populations we serve.
• Maintain the utmost ethical standards of practice following the scope of practice outlined by their licensure and the Michigan Occupational Therapy Act