The biggest challenge for therapists who help children, particularly those who are autistic, is keeping their interest and enthusiasm. Therapeutic Horseback Riding is a creative way to keep them engaged. In standard physical therapy settings, therapy balls are used to mimic a walking motion. Horseback riding tends to be more effective because the ball is nowhere nearly as graceful as the gait of a horse and it is also not able to move in three dimensions at once. These therapy balls also fail to radiate any form or heat or connection with the participant (Bertoti). Another benefit of horseback riding is that participants can spend longer periods of time on a horse than on a therapy ball. Most participants, who are often children, are satisfied, if not overjoyed to be sitting on a horse for forty-five minutes because the event is amusing, stimulating, and thrilling. However, it is important to note that no child would be pleased with sitting on therapy ball for fifteen minutes, much less forty-five (Shurtleff). When a kid is on a stallion, he/she is “able to experience a sensation of moving forward through space, which is difficult to reproduce in the clinic (Violette and Wilmarth).” Hippo therapy and therapeutic riding have another advantage over clinical therapy, this being that all the therapy/ riding takes place outside. The riding facilities offer natural light, various noises, beautiful landscape, different scents, and most importantly refreshing air. The natural environment gives participants a chance to interact with their surroundings in a way with which they are not familiar with (McPhail). This contact increases their understanding about the world around them, thus challenging their brain to processing this new data. Th... ... middle of paper ... ...om/lis-hartel-and-jubilee-history-in-the-making/ McPhail, K. (n.d.). Occupational Therapy at The Barn. American Hippotherapy Association. Retrieved April 14, 2014, from http://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Hippotherapy_Magazine.pdf PPTRC RESOURCES. (n.d.). Resources from Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center. Retrieved April 2, 2014, from http://www.pptrc.org/resources.html Smith, D. (n.d.). Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Riding: Practicing Social Workers and Undergraduate Social Work Students. Providence College. Retrieved April 2, 2014, from http://digitalcommons.providence.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1060&context=socialwrk_students Violette, K., & Wilmarth, M. A. (n.d.). Hippotherapy: A Therapeutic Treatment Strategy. Gallop NYC. Retrieved April 14, 2014, from gallopnyc.org/wp-content/uploads/.../Hippotherapy-art-Violette.doc
Though occupation usually refers to a job, a person’s occupation is initially determined by what their everyday life consists of. When a person becomes incapable of performing the tasks that they are expected to do in their everyday life due to developmental delays, physical injury, or psychological problems they are often referred to an occupational therapist. Occupational therapists, or OTs, usually have occupational therapy assistants, often called OTAs. The OT gives the OTA a set of objectives to help the patient achieve. Since people go through numerous occupations during the course of their lives, OT’s and OTA’s prov...
Sacket et al, cited in, Duncan, E,A,S, (2006) Foundtions for practice in Occupational Therapy, 4th edition, Elsevier Ltd.
STEIN, F., SODERBACK, I., CUTLER, S., LARSON, B., 2006. Occupational therapy and ergonomics. Applying ergonomic principals to everyday occupation in the home and at work. London: Whurr Publishers.
Shepard, Libby. "The Benefits of Therapeutic Riding." Therapeion Therapeutic Riding Center. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. .
This article discusses the basic understanding of what occupational therapy is and what it the
I would like to assert for this paper, as an overview of the whole course, that some kinds of alternative medicine and mental healing do indeed work. The question is, does it have a neurological basis of brain=behavior or is there something more at work like hope or other emotions that are so far intangible in the human brain? Certain things we may never be able to find in the brain, but either way, I would like to assert that even though brain=behavior does account for most behaviors and actions in the body, that there may at least be something more. I will review all the literature I found and let the decision be yours, but also add in my two cents on the total findings for this paper.
"Occupational Therapy." KidsHealth. Ed. Wendy Harron. The Nemours Foundation, 01 July 2010. Web. 01 Mar. 2014 .
For decades, Scientists have contemplated the idea of using horses for the personal gain of children and adults with needs such as autism, heart conditions, anxiety, stress, and other disorders that have yet to be curable. Horses such as Chester, a twenty year old gelding has encouraged more young riders who face difficulties such as social skills, behavior skills, and those who are physically indisposed. The phrase confidence is key, becomes important when people of all ages interact with a horse. Learning confidence may not be as easy as it sounds but is a necessary step to bond with a horse; without it, there can be no trust and most importantly, no bond between the equine and its rider.
I have known from a young age that I wanted to help people, and since then I have searched for the opportunity and knowledge to be able to do just that. On that note, seeing the joy on my uncle’s face, after losing both of his legs and having to learn to walk again with prosthesis’s was so uplifting for me, to witness him so happy even though I wasn’t involved with his healing process. Consequently, I could only imagine how good it would feel to know that I helped him regain his independence and return a smile to his face. That was when I realized that I wanted to give back to people that are in need of assistance. These individuals may not be able to do anything about the position they are in, Hence when I become an Occupational therapist; I will
A., de Rijk, A., Van Hoof, E., & Donceel, P. 2011). The therapist has to assess the patient to see if they have a need for splints or supports which may benefit the patient and then step in to help design the specific assistive devices needed. It is the job of the occupational therapist to come up with plans to overcome the inconvenient limitations while still helping the patient to reduce strain and prevent further damage by teaching them techniques that will conserve their energy. There are a variety of different ways to make daily living much easier. The most crucial part of therapy is assessing the patient's environment. All the people, cultural conditions and physical objects that are around them, create their environment. The behavior and development of people is a direct result of the interaction between them and their surroundings. A patient's behavior is greatly affected when they are mismatched with their environment. A person's environment match is present when the person's level of competence matches the demands of the environment. Full participation by the patient is required to make it practicable. “The science and practice of occupational therapy are well suited to develop, refine, and test approaches to translate therapeutic gains into
Occupational therapy was based off of psychology; we evolved from treating mentally ill patients with isolation as an efficient treatment plan. We must never forget we are known to be “the art and science of helping people do the day-to-day activities that are important and meaningful to their health and well being through engagement in valued occupations” (Crepeau, Cohn, & Schell, 2008). To other professional disciplines this article explains the difference between each of us, yet can also express our relation to one another. The basic goal of all therapeutic disciplines is to better our clients life, through physical, speech or occupational therapy. Every discipline targets different goals, may it be body mechanics, reducing a stutter or buttoning a shirt, at the end of the day our clients well being may it be through science, art or both is all that matters. To the occupational therapy field this article means progress for what we do. Reading this article today in the year 2015 did not seem like old information to me, it is still relevant, I am proud that our field is not only evolving with contemporary time but it is also maintaining its
Occupational therapy (OT) theory offers valuable contribution to support professionalization since possessing a unique body of knowledge is essential to define a profession (Cooper, 2012). To utilize theory effectively, it is essential to differentiate between generic and specific theory as knowledge of the core theory helps to form OT identity and action as a practicing practitioner. In this essay, OT theory refers only to philosophy and OT specific models. Frame of references (FOR) will not be included since it can be shared with the other professions (Boniface & Seymour, 2012).
...e-based knowledge to inform the therapy practice. It also assists with furthering the therapist’s knowledge of humans as occupational beings as well as the relationship between occupation and health.(Yexer ,1993) introduced occupational science as a fundamental science supporting occupational therapy, with an aim to refocus the provision of therapy back to occupation. Hence, occupational science provides the therapists with support, justifies the meaning and uniqueness of the profession and distinguishes occupational therapy from other professions. In addition (Wilcock, 2001), also emphasises that occupational science might be another way to avoid the possible failure of the occupational therapy as a practice. With a strong research background, occupational therapists could make a contribution to medical science, which may challenge it from a different standpoint.
witnessed first-hand the impact occupational therapy can make in people’s lives, watching the delight of a
Cole, M. B., & Tufano, R. (2008). Applied theories in occupational therapy: A practical approach. Thorofare, New Jersey, United States of America: Slack Inc.