Occupational therapy is the branch of healthcare that specializes in helping people with certain disabilities regain independence in daily tasks. OT applies to patients of all ages afflicted by cognitive, sensory, or physical issues. It enables them to engage fully in life, work, and play whether they have a developmental problem or are recovering from injuries.

Technology is a prominent feature in our everyday lives. And it serves an even greater purpose in the provision of occupational therapy services. These devices are continually utilized by occupational therapists to explore ways they can help disabled people contribute to the community and live a normal life.

This social model of technology is what is referred to as assistive technology. OTs such as ndis occupational therapy group often use low-tech apparatus such as sock aids, but there are tons of new tools they utilize to stay up-to-date while providing the best solutions for their patients. However, before we delve into how assistive technology impacts the field of occupational therapy, let us understand what it is.

So, What Is Assistive Technology?

Picture a caveman who fractured his leg while hunting for his family. Due to a lack of health facilities and solutions, a hunting mate ties a branch with twine to the affected bone to help set it straight. As time goes by, the man of the stone age begins to regain mobility and a family member proposes a stick for walking.

All the above are crude versions of assistive technology. The branch and twine are innovative substitutions for a plaster, and the walking stick is an earlier version of crutches.

The branch of health science has come a long way since then to incorporate numerous strategies, services, practices, and devices that are specially designed for application in occupational therapy. It is any piece of equipment or tech solution that helps people with disabilities enhance their functional capabilities thus reshaping their way of life.

Uses Of Assistive Technology In Occupational Therapy

Assistive technology aims to support everyday living in various performance areas that have been affected by limitations in functionality. Read on to see how AT is useful in supporting an impaired function.

When one’s occupational performance is reduced, they are likely to be affected by several detrimental factors, including:

  • Biophysical suffering
  • Social stigma
  • Self-esteem issues
  • Loss of independence

The most prevalent use of assistive technology is its application in self-care. It features the use of tech to enhance daily living. For instance, someone with reduced functionality of the upper extremities can use AT to perform duties like personal care, home management, and general tasks. You will find single-handed buttons or zipper pulls on such a patient’s clothes, modified grips on tools, or the use of robotic aids like arms.

AT is applied to combat limited mobility. Wheelchairs, crutches, and canes are examples of such devices. Moreover, assistive technology can be used to enhance information entry to sensory impairments via the use of aids for hearing and vision. In an educational setting, students especially children can use computerized devices to achieve a positive learning effect.

Take Away

The technological arena is highly dynamic, which means we anticipate to see the integration of more mainstream methods and devices into occupational therapy and assisitive tech policies in the future.

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