The neuro occupational therapy process

Assessment

The neurological occupational therapy process starts with a face to face or remote assessment. This may take the form of structured questioning, observation of a client completing an activity of daily living, a cognitive assessment and a mood screen. This helps to identify your strengths and weaknesses and areas of function that may be affected.

Rehabilitation

After assessment, I would work with a client to identify goals for treatment – goals that are meaningful and client centred. I may also complete an outcome measure in order to monitor progress and track improvement.

A treatment programme would be devised in order to meet the client’s specific needs. Rehabilitation may include the following areas:

Functional rehabilitation: self care, cooking, domestic tasks and budgeting

Community reintegration: outdoor mobility, using public transport, shopping, attending appointments, meeting new people.

Upper limb rehabilitation utilising functional tasks, virtual reality, mirror therapy, sensory desensitisation

Fatigue management

Cognitive rehabilitation – education, strategy training, attention/information process training

Vocational rehabilitation/setting up voluntary work

Return to driving support

Return to leisure activities and sports/exercise

Advice on equipment provision and minor adaptations

Seating and wheelchair assessment

Mood assessment and anxiety management/relaxation

Family support/carer training