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Showing posts with the label ADL

Is that an Occupational Therapist's job?

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  Ask any newly qualified OT, what Occupational Therapy is, and 99.99% of the time you get the same answer, "Occupational Therapy is all about improving ADL skills and helping the client achieve ADL independence." Of course, if you probe deeper, you may get a more elaborate answer that may branch into other things (apart form ADL) that an OT can help a client with. Let me just a do a bit of introduction first, before I get to the point!  ADL, which stands for Activities of Daily Living, is the most common term you would hear many OTs use.  It is a term used to collectively describe fundamental skills that are required to independently care for oneself such as eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, grooming and mobility.  ADLs are essential and routine tasks that most young healthy individuals can perform without assistance. The inability to accomplish essential activities of daily living, due to an injury, illness or any other physical or emotional challenges, may lead to unsa