Occupational therapy functions as a member of an interdisciplinary team in screening and evaluating children, adolescents and adults for neurological, musculoskeletal, sensory integrative and developmental levels of function.
As part of a treatment team, occupational therapy assists in diagnosing and planning treatment. Occupational therapy treats individuals on an inpatient, day treatment, home-based, school and outpatient basis per physicians' orders, and collaborates with other professionals for coordination of services to patients. The department provides consultation to other professionals, parents, teachers, health aides and in community settings such as hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, day care centers, schools and homes. The occupational therapy department is involved in training activities, research and community outreach activities.
Who We Serve
We provide care for clients with mild to severe disabilities, from infancy to young adulthood. Our services are available and appropriate for the majority of diagnoses and disorders seen at Kennedy Krieger, including:
- Attention and impulsivity disorders
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Brachial plexus
- Cerebral palsy
- Developmental delays
- Feeding disorders
- Movement disorders
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Neurodegenerative disorders
- Neurological disorders
- Spina bifida
- Spinal cord injuries
- Sensory processing disorders
- Traumatic brain injuries
Our Approach
Our occupational therapy team screens and evaluates children, adolescents, and young adults for neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, developmental, and sensory motor/ processing difficulties. We help identify motor and learning strengths and difficulties to determine necessary intervention needs and treatment plans.
Treatment plans are designed to meet individual client and family needs, with regular reassessments and plan modifications as needed, based on goals and objectives. Treatment areas may include:
- Fine motor skills
- Oral motor skills and swallowing
- Sensory motor intervention
- Daily living activities
- Visual motor and perceptual skills
- Community- and leisure-based activities, and social participation skills
- Strength, endurance, and mobility
- Prerequisite skills for students, such as handwriting
- Rehabilitation for hand/arm and limb differences associated with birth, accident, or injury
- Assessment and recommendation of adaptive equipment, splinting, seating, and positioning components