#1. What is Occupational Therapy and How Does It Work?
Every year, October 27th is World Occupational Therapy Day. Since 2010, this day has helped people around the world understand how important occupational therapy is. Many people who receive this therapy have different disabilities. Today, I’ll share the positive changes that people with vision, hearing, and multiple disabilities have experienced through occupational therapy.
A. Visually Impaired
Let’s start with the story of Jane Pilecki, who is visually impaired. Jane lost the sight in her right eye due to macular degeneration four years ago, and recently, she suddenly lost most of the vision in her left eye as well. Now legally blind, Jane found great help from her occupational therapist, Dr. McCarthy. She was especially moved when she could read again using a magnifier.
Dr. McCarthy listened carefully to Jane’s story and helped her make the most of her remaining vision. Thanks to this support, Jane says her life has become much more positive. You can find more details in the YouTube video.
B. Hearing Impaired
In an interview with occupational therapist Jillian Masciola, she shared that sign language has become a very useful tool in occupational therapy programs for people with hearing impairments.
Jillian Masciola studied occupational therapy at A.T. Still University and learned sign language because she wanted to become a sign language interpreter. She noticed that students struggled to learn sign language, and realized that occupational therapy could really help them.
Leah, an occupational and psychological therapist from Australia, shared in an interview that she learned Australian Sign Language to communicate with her clients who are hearing impaired. Through this, she experienced positive effects not only for the hearing-impaired clients but also for herself and other therapists. She discovered that the best occupational therapy methods for hearing-impaired individuals include sign language and cochlear implants for those with hearing loss.
C. Multiple Disabilities
Let’s hear the story of Greg Hansen, an occupational therapist at Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences. Greg works with students who have various disabilities such as learning disabilities, autism, intellectual disabilities, and cerebral palsy.
Among them, children with both visual and hearing impairments face particular challenges in learning and developing daily life skills. Greg realized that they often miss out on learning opportunities from conversations or situations around them, making independent living more difficult.
In an interview, Greg shared how he supports these students by using tactile learning tools, assistive technology, and multi-sensory education methods through mobile apps and other devices, helping them learn more effectively and improve their daily skills.
#2. How and Where Can You Receive Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy helps individuals become more independent in their daily lives. Occupational therapists create personalized treatment plans by considering physical, mental, emotional, and social factors. This therapy can take place in various settings, and the goal is to improve a person’s abilities through activities they want to perform.
You can receive occupational therapy in hospitals, therapy clinics, community centers, nursing homes, schools, and adult education centers. For example, in California, you can ask about occupational therapy services at specialized rehab hospitals like the California Rehabilitation Institute, university hospitals like UCLA or Stanford Health Care Outpatient Rehabilitation, or at Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers.
So, how does occupational therapy work?
Initial Evaluation : The therapist talks with the patient to understand their challenges and identify the functional goals they want to achieve.
- Physical and Mental Ability Assessment: The therapist evaluates the patient's range of motion, strength, cognitive abilities, senses, and daily living skills.
- Environment Evaluation: The patient’s home or work environment is assessed to identify any barriers or areas that could be improved.
Therapy Implementation : Based on the initial evaluation, the therapist creates a personalized treatment plan and begins working through it step by step.
- Daily Living Skills Training (ADL Training): The patient practices essential tasks like dressing or preparing meals independently.
- Exercise Training: Various exercises are used to improve strength, balance, and coordination.
- Cognitive Rehabilitation: Tasks are designed to improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.
- Assistive Device Training: The therapist teaches the patient how to use any necessary assistive tools or devices.
- Social Skills Training: The patient learns how to improve interpersonal skills or work-related activities.
Progress Evaluation & Follow-Up : After a set period, the therapist evaluates the effectiveness of the therapy and checks if the patient has met their goals. If needed, the treatment plan is adjusted or extended. After the therapy ends, follow-up visits or phone consultations are planned to help the patient maintain or improve their progress.
#3. How Does Occupational Therapy for the Visually Impaired Work?
Daily Living Skills Training (ADL Training)
This helps visually impaired individuals perform daily tasks independently. For example, they practice basic skills like dressing, preparing meals, personal hygiene, cooking, and cleaning. By using touch and sound, they learn new ways to access information and improve their independence.
- Sensory Integration
This training focuses on using other senses like touch, hearing, and smell to compensate for vision loss. For instance, they learn to locate objects through touch or understand their surroundings through sound.
- Assistive Device Training
The therapy helps them use devices designed for the visually impaired, such as braille displays, voice recognition software, canes, or mobility aids. These tools make daily life easier and more efficient. They also learn how to use smartphones and digital devices to access information and communicate effectively.
- Vocational Rehabilitation
This helps visually impaired individuals gain skills to work productively. It includes learning how to use computers, developing specific job skills, and adapting to the work environment. The therapy ensures they can perform their jobs independently by adjusting the work environment and teaching them how to use the necessary tools and techniques.
- Environmental Adaptation
This involves adjusting the living or work space to suit the needs of visually impaired individuals. For example, they are taught how to organize items in fixed positions or use tactile markers to identify objects. The environment is arranged for safe movement, and strategies are provided to help them live safely.
- Orientation and Mobility Training
This training teaches visually impaired individuals how to move safely indoors and outdoors. It includes using a white cane, navigating using sounds or textures, and learning how to use public transportation.
- Social and Emotional Support
To address psychological challenges or social isolation caused by vision loss, therapy provides emotional support, helping them build confidence and independence. It also trains them to improve social interactions and maintain relationships with friends and family.
#4. How Can Dot Pad Enhance Occupational Therapy?
Dot Pad uses tactile display technology to help visually impaired users easily access and understand information through braille and tactile feedback. This device may also positively impact health, as it can help reduce the risk of degenerative brain diseases associated with a lack of visual stimulation. By stimulating the visual cortex through tactile input, Dot Pad plays a key role in activating brain function and preventing decline.
Here are some examples of how Dot Pad can be used in occupational therapy:
1. Tactile Graphic Recognition Training
When visual function is lost, the brain’s ability to process visual information can decline. Dot Pad helps counteract this by allowing users to explore images through touch, stimulating the visual cortex and enhancing visual imagination and perception. For instance, Dot Pad can be used in art therapy, where visually impaired individuals express emotions through touch-based drawing and practice recognizing complex shapes.
Dot pad image of a house and tree expressed through touch, commonly used in art therapy.
2. Braille Reading and Writing Training
Braille is essential for communication and rehabilitation for the visually impaired. Dot Pad enables tactile experiences with braille of various sizes and forms, effectively enhancing braille reading and writing skills. This training is practical for identifying cosmetics or everyday items and using elevators and ATMs.
An image that helps learn the Dot's English letters using the Dot Pad has been converted into a text version.
3. Understanding Spatial and Geographical Information
Learning maps and building layouts through Dot Pad helps visually impaired individuals understand spatial concepts and geographic relationships. Research shows that visually impaired individuals often demonstrate exceptional synesthetic abilities, integrating information through multiple senses. This skill enhances their independence in navigating key landmarks and locations—an ability also being facilitated through Dot Kiosks in subway and train stations.
Using Dot Pad Content to Help the Visually Impaired Navigate to Desired Locations.
4. Vocational Training and Learning Support
Dot Pad can support understanding body structure, learning necessary movements for cooking, or mastering detailed sequences in crafts. Additionally, research is underway on using Dot Pad for musical instrument practice, connecting it to programs designed to foster musical sensitivity.
Tactile image of a dot pad displaying multiple musical notes on a wide screen.
These examples illustrate Dot Pad's potential to expand into occupational therapy and lay the foundation for diverse applications. Dot Pad aims to support independent living for the visually impaired and enhance social participation through more accessible content. Stay tuned to see how Dot Pad’s evolving content ecosystem continues to grow!
