2-17-11
Brain Injuries of Wounded Warriors, Rep. Giffords Bring Insight into Occupational Therapy
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month
Bethesda, MD—From Rep. Gabrielle Gifford’s recovery from a gunshot wound to the “signature injury” of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, newsworthy traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are underscoring the importance of occupational therapy in rehabilitation for all TBI patients.
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, an advocacy campaign created by the Brain Injury Association. In recognition, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is offering opportunities to speak with two rehabilitation experts—Dr. Brent Braveman, Director of Rehabilitation Services, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, and Dr. Sudip Bose, former front-line Army physician who served a 15 month tour in Iraq.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Braveman and Dr. Bose. Dr. Bose will be in Washington, D.C. Monday, Feb. 21 through Sunday, Feb. 27.
As part of the rehabilitation team, occupational therapy services begin in acute care, continue in the rehabilitation facility, and progress to the home and community.
Initially, occupational therapists working with people with TBI in acute care may focus on neuromuscular re-education, trunk stabilization, and balance activities in preparing them to maintain the physical posture necessary for self-care and home activities. As recovery continues in a rehabilitation facility, occupational therapists focus on activities of daily living, such as dressing, eating, preparing meals, and other things that are meaningful to the individual. They also address cognitive and perceptual deficits, including memory loss, difficulty concentrating, impaired judgment, and impulsive behaviors. When those with TBI return home, occupational therapists address home and workplace modifications, community mobility, psychosocial skills, and other barriers to participating fully in daily life. For clients with permanent disabilities, occupational therapists provide a wide range of adaptive equipment and personalized strategies to enable them to actively engage in activities they desire.
Founded in 1917, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) represents the professional interests and concerns of more than 140,000 occupational therapists, assistants, and students nationwide. The Association educates the public and advances the profession of occupational therapy by providing resources, setting standards including accreditations, and serving as an advocate to improve health care. Based in Bethesda, Md., AOTA’s major programs and activities are directed toward promoting the professional development of its members and assuring consumer access to quality services so patients can maximize their individual potential. For more information, go to www.aota.org.
