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This type of movement is often seen is 2 forms. For example, they may extend an arm too far forward or not far enough. Poor coordination and grading of arm movements: Many children with A-T have an idea of how they want to perform a task, but err in its physical performance. General Findings in A-TĬhildren with Ataxia Telangiectasia demonstrate various problem areas that may impact on their performance of many activities of daily living. Physical and occupational therapists work together to determine optimal positioning devices and/or techniques that will improve stability and maintain an ideal posture for safety, independence and function in daily activities. If an individual cannot sit stably and/or hold the head in an upright position, it is difficult to effectively use the arms and eyes effectively. If an individual is unstable or has uncontrolled movement, the arms will revert to “holding on” in an effort to keep the body steady and prevent a fall. The common area of concern is stability and posture because the trunk, head and feet must be stable for fine motor control. In general, occupational therapy evaluates fine motor, visual/motor and visual/perceptual skills (use of hands and eyes to perform precise hand skills), whereas physical therapy evaluates gross motor skills (posture, balance, walking). The skills necessary to maximize independence of thought and activity, and for some access to vocational or college programs, are an important concern for the occupational therapist. For all adolescents and young adults, the issue of independence takes on great importance. Occupational therapy is also interested in the tasks of self-feeding, food preparation, dressing and grooming for which children naturally assume responsibility. The occupational therapy evaluation focuses on basic fine and visual motor skills, such as using pencils and scissors, to manage the demands of school successfully.
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At school age, the additional responsibilities of attending school, following directions and completing assignments are added to the self-generated interests of play. Through play, a child explores the outside world and develops the coordination necessary to manipulate it. The nature of the occupational therapy evaluation changes with growth and development.įor a toddler or young child, the day is dedicated to the important task of play.
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Therapy can take the form of recommending assistive devices, changing the environment or adapting tasks to be more easily accomplished, recommending or assisting with therapeutic exercises, or helping to formulate new and more appropriate goals.
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The role of occupational therapy, in assisting children and young adults with A-T, is ongoing as the passage of time naturally brings new interests and needs to normal developing children and A-T brings new burdens of neurologic impairment. Occupational therapists often work closely with physical therapists, who are concerned more with helping problems of mobility and posture, particularly with respect to function of the legs and trunk. In general, occupational therapists are interested in arm and hand use, eye-hand coordination, posture as it relates to stability for arm use, and the intellectual understanding necessary to perform motor tasks. Occupational therapists are dedicated to assisting with difficulties in the performance of activities of daily living, including self-feeding, dressing, grooming, bathing and toileting, as well as job performance. 2008 originally published 2000 ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING AND FINE MOTOR ABILITIES Mary Lashno, OTR/L Role of the Occupational Therapist