Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy

Occupational therapists (OTs) assist patients who are unable to do daily chores as a result of illness, injury, ( both mental and physical) disability. Occupational therapists assist patients in regaining control over their health. They are encouraged to be more self-sufficient in several ways, including meal preparation, personal hygiene, dressing, and using the restroom. This may necessitate the use of assistive devices or the provision of splints, braces, or other equipment.

The objective of a speech therapist is to enhance communication and swallowing skills. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are trained to assist patients with a variety of communication disorders, such as those involving voice, resonance, voice quality, language, cognition, and articulation (stuttering). Evaluation and treatment for swallowing may entail food as well. SLPs treat patients of various ages and diseases, including autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain damage, vocal fold nodules, and stroke. SLPs conduct both rehabilitative and rehabilitative therapy with the latter involving helping patients maintain or improve their present communication and swallowing skills.

SLPs also make an attempt to consider the individual’s holistic requirements. By strengthening  patient’s ability to talk and swallow safely, their ability to participate in social activities such as at mealtimes, to express their needs, social interaction chances of employment can be developed. Patients and their families work with speech-language pathologists to set individualized goals that will improve the patient’s quality of life.

Initiatives added were:

School-based Occupational Therapy at PSRD High School with therapists providing assessments and therapy in classrooms

Making orthosis and adaptive equipment for patients
An inclusive, adaptive washroom was designed to initiate toilet training for patients
Improved assessment forms for pediatric and adult patients have been introduced
Screening of all patients needs prior to their registration
Mental Health Occupational Therapy with sensory integration therapy, and mobility aid assessments and prescriptions have been introduced

Speech Therapy Department has:
Advanced procedures for assessment and screening of speech therapy
Established different tools for speech therapy
Modification of speech session rooms as per therapy protocols
Improved patient care through regular intra-professional patient rounds
Created awareness of this disability