Developmental disorder on the autism spectrum that is often referred to as atypical autism is called PDD-NOS. Children diagnosed with PDD-NOS may meet some but not all of the diagnostic criteria for Asperger Syndrome or Autistic Disorder. Research and studies publish that Cerebral Cortex have decreased inter- hemispheric connectivity in brain regions responsible for regulating behaviors associated with the disorder. We believe this connectivity issue due to functional disconnection syndrome, an imbalance in hemispheric brain communication that is at the root of learning and developmental issues. Neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to improve and change throughout a person’s lifetime, is fundamental to our therapeutic intervention program. Our drug-free, integrated approach brings parents and kids together to achieve...
Developmental disorder on the autism spectrum that is often referred to as atypical autism is called PDD-NOS. Children diagnosed with PDD-NOS may meet some but not all of the diagnostic criteria for Asperger Syndrome or Autistic Disorder.
Research and studies publish that Cerebral Cortex have decreased inter- hemispheric connectivity in brain regions responsible for regulating behaviors associated with the disorder. We believe this connectivity issue due to functional disconnection syndrome, an imbalance in hemispheric brain communication that is at the root of learning and developmental issues. Since the right hemisphere of the brain regulates creativity, non-verbal learning, communication, attention, and socially appropriate behavior, a child with decreased right-brain activity may have trouble reading body language, regulating repetitive behavior, and maintaining eye contact, attention, and mood the Occupational Therapy combines individually customized sensory motor and academic activities that are designed to address right- brain connectivity issues and the resulting behavioral issues. Neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to improve and change throughout a person’s lifetime, is fundamental to our therapeutic intervention program. Our drug-free, integrated approach brings parents and kids together to achieve a common goal of helping children with PDD-NOS so that they may reach their maximum potential.
The term used when a young child is slower to develop physical, emotional, social and communication skills than is expected in children of that age.Developmental delay can be identified in the way how child moves, communicates, thinks and learns, or behaves with others. When more than one of these things is affected, the term ‘global developmental delay’ might be used. Developmental delay might happen just in the short term or it might be long term or permanent. Child will have developmental delays in physical, emotional, social and communication skills when compared with their peers. Short term developmental delays can happen in premature babies. Permanent developmental delays are also called ‘Developmental Disabilities’. Therapy helps to focus on bridging the gap for the need based development on a particular area of development or more areas of development....
The term used when a young child is slower to develop physical, emotional, social and communication skills than is expected in children of that age. Developmental delay can be identified in the way how child moves, communicates, thinks and learns, or behaves with others. When more than one of these things is affected, the term ‘global developmental delay’ might be used. Developmental delay might happen just in the short term or it might be long term or permanent. Child will have developmental delays in physical, emotional, social and communication skills when compared with their peers. Short term developmental delays can happen in premature babies. Permanent developmental delays are also called ‘Developmental Disabilities’.
Difficulties producing controlled speech (e.g. making speech and/or sequencing sounds and words).
Diagnosis is done by the General practitioner, Child Specialist, Pediatric, Occupational Therapist, Speech therapist, Psychologist, Special Educator etc.
Required Treatment For Developmental Delay
Diagnosis alone is NOT the solution. It simply opens the door to getting the help that is needed by arming all involved with the relevant information.Therapy helps the child to develop skills required to meet the age appropriate needs and development. Therapy helps to focus on bridging the gap for the need based development on a particular area of development or more areas of development. Therapy helps in the Neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to improve and change throughout a person’s lifetime, is fundamental to our therapeutic intervention program. Our drug – free, integrated approach brings parents and kids together to achieve a common goal of helping children with developmental delays.
When children have intellectual disability, they have a reduced ability to think. They might take longer and need extra support to learn new skills.Children with intellectual disability often learn at a slower rate than others. They can have problems with memory, thinking and learning. Sometimes things happen before a child is born to cause intellectual disability. And sometimes intellectual disability is caused in early childhood.Intellectual disability can be caused by drug and alcohol use by a child’s mother during pregnancy. It can also be caused by exposure to poisons such as lead during pregnancy. Children with intellectual disability feel a full range of emotions and keep learning, just like other children. And like all children, they get a lot out of being part of the community and doing activities that....
When children have intellectual disability, they have a reduced ability to think. They might take longer and need extra support to learn new skills.
Children with intellectual disability often learn at a slower rate than others. They can have problems with memory, thinking and learning.The degree of intellectual disability varies a lot from child to child.In the past intellectual disability was called mental retardation in the US. It is also called learning disability in the UK. You might see these terms in some publications or websites..
Causes of intellectual disability:
Sometimes things happen before a child is born to cause intellectual disability. And sometimes intellectual disability is caused in early childhood.
Intellectual disability can be caused by drug and alcohol use by a child’s mother during pregnancy. It can also be caused by exposure to poisons such as lead during pregnancy.But for many children, especially those with mild intellectual disability, no cause is found.
A diagnosis of intellectual disability involves formal testing. This can be done by a psychologist. In general, the milder the disability, the later it is diagnosed.
Children with intellectual disability feel a full range of emotions and keep learning, just like other children. And like all children, they get a lot out of being part of the community and doing activities that make them feel good about themselves.Some children with intellectual disability can go to regular school with assistance. Others might benefit from special education. This is a decision that you make as a parent, taking into account what will best suit your child’s needs and your family’s circumstances. Many adults with a mild intellectual disability live independent lives.
If your child has intellectual disability, you and your child might work with some or all of the following professionals:
Cerebral palsy is a physical disability that makes it difficult for children to control their muscles and movements. Early intervention services are very crucial. To support them better. Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a disability caused by the damage to the brain during the developmental process. Children can have problems like muscle Weakness, Stiffness, Awkwardness, Slowness and Shakiness. They might also have difficulty with balance and coordination.Child will have shaky and unsteady movements or tremors. Have problems with balance and might walk with feet wide apart to help themselves to balance. Child with cerebral palsy actually has a combination of two or more of these types....
Cerebral palsy is a physical disability that makes it difficult for children to control their muscles and movements. Early intervention services are very crucial. To support them better.Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a disability caused by the damage to the brain during the developmental process. Children can have problems like muscle Weakness, Stiffness, Awkwardness, Slowness and Shakiness. They might also have difficulty with balance and coordination.
Causes of intellectual disability:
Types Of Cerebral Palsy
Spastic cerebral palsy Muscles stiffen up or become tight automatically. This happens because messages from her brain to her muscles can’t get through clearly. Dyskinesia cerebral palsy.
In this type of cerebral palsy, when a child tries to move he might make twisting, repetitive movements with his arms, hands, legs and feet, and around his mouth. These movements might make it very difficult for him to sit, stand, reach or grasp. Dystonia and athetosis are two types of these movement problems.
Ataxic cerebral palsy
Child will have shaky and unsteady movements or tremors. Have problems with balance and might walk with feet wide apart to help themselves to balance. Child with cerebral palsy actually has a combination of two or more of these types.
Hemiplegia
One side of the body is affected such as the right arm and right leg as well as often the right hand side of the trunk. Damage to the brain occurs on the opposite side to the limbs affected.
Diplegia
Here the lower limbs are affected. Some impact on hand function and other areas such as visual perception may also occur.
Quadriplegia
Whole body, Including all four limbs are affected.
Triplegia
The lower limbs and right arm / left arm will be affected.
Different combination of symptoms are shown in every child affected with CP. The severity varies from child to child. Children with mild symptoms and can walk well and communicate effectively. Children with severe cerebral palsy might have difficulty making everyday movements and doing everyday things. About one-third of children with cerebral palsy will need extra help to get around, and one quarter wont be able to walk. The effects of cerebral palsy can be different in different children. One child might be affected mainly on one side of the body (like a stroke in an adult), and another child might be affected in both legs. And yet another child might have effects in legs, arms and body, many children feel the effects of cerebral palsy in the muscles of their face, mouth and throat. This can affect communication, eating and drinking.
Symptoms
Other problems can include
What is required?
Cerebral palsy children may also experience gastro- esophageal reflux, constipation, epilepsy, orthopedic problem and recurrent chest infection.
Services required
Why therapy is required?
Without therapy at the early stage can get harder for their body to manage extra challenges as they grew up. Early intervention can improve out comes for the child to increase their full potential as early as possible.
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences. Autism’s most-obvious signs tend to appear between 2 and 3 years of age. In some cases, it can be diagnosed as early as 18 months. Some developmental delays associated with autism can be identified and addressed even earlier. Autistic people see, hear and feel the world differently due to sensory integration difficulties. If you are autistic, you are autistic for life; autism is not an illness or disease and cannot be 'cured'. Often people feel being autistic is a fundamental aspect of their identity.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a brain-based condition – that is, where the brain hasn’t developed in a typical way. Although no two children with ASD are the same, They all face challenges in interacting and communicating with others. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is group of conditions that hampers social communication, have narrow interests and repetitive behaviors, or to be over - sensitive or under-sensitive to taste, touch, sight or sounds.
Symptoms Present
Sometimes things happen before a child is born to cause intellectual disability. And sometimes intellectual disability is caused in early childhood.
We don’t know exactly what causes autism spectrum disorder (ASD). But the latest research shows that in children with ASD
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder and the most common autosomal chromosome abnormality in humans, where extra genetic material from chromosome 21 is transferred to a newly formed embryo. These extra genes and DNA cause changes in development of the embryo and fetus resulting in physical and mental abnormalities. Each patient is unique and there can be great variability in the severity of symptoms. Down syndrome is a genetic disorder in which, most often, a third copy of chromosome 21 is present in cells because of an abnormal cell division when the egg and sperm first meet. As such, it is not truly a disease or illness that is curable or preventable but rather a lifelong challenge for patient and family to maximize quality of life.
Down syndrome (sometimes called Down’s syndrome) is a condition in which a child is born with an extra copy of their 21st chromosome — hence it's other name, trisomy 21. This causes physical and mental developmental delays and disabilities.
Many of the disabilities are lifelong, and they can also shorten life expectancy. However, people with Down syndrome can live healthy and fulfilling lives. Recent medical advances, as well as cultural and institutional support for people with Down syndrome and their families, provides many opportunities to help overcome the challenges of this condition.
Causes of Down Syndrome
In all cases of reproduction, both parents pass their genes on to their children. These genes are carried in chromosomes. When the baby’s cells develop, each cell is supposed to receive 23 pairs of chromosomes, for 46 chromosomes total. Half of the chromosomes are from the mother, and half are from the father.
In children with Down syndrome, one of the chromosomes doesn’t separate properly. The baby ends up with three copies, or an extra partial copy, of chromosome 21, instead of two. This extra chromosome causes problems as the brain and physical features develop.
According to the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), about 1 in 700 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome. It’s the most common genetic disorder in the United States.
Types of Down Syndrome
There are three types of Down syndrome:
Trisomy 21
Trisomy 21 means there’s an extra copy of chromosome 21 in every cell. This is the most common form of Down syndrome.
Mosaicism
Mosaicism occurs when a child is born with an extra chromosome in some but not all of their cells. People with mosaic Down syndrome tend to have fewer symptoms than those with trisomy 21.
Translocation
In this type of Down syndrome, children have only an extra part of chromosome 21. There are 46 total chromosomes. However, one of them has an extra piece of chromosome 21 attached.
At birth, babies with Down syndrome usually have certain characteristic signs, including:
Symptoms of Down Syndrome
The symptoms of Down syndrome vary from person to person, and people with Down syndrome may have different problems at different times of their lives.
Physical Symptoms
In addition, physical development in children with Down syndrome is often slower than development of children without Down syndrome. For example, because of poor muscle tone, a child with Down syndrome may be slow to learn to turn over, sit, stand, and walk. Despite these delays, children with Down syndrome can learn to participate in physical exercise activities like other children. It may take children with Down syndrome longer than other children to reach developmental milestones, but they will eventually meet many of these milestones. They require sensory integration therapy for better cognitive development and daily living skills.
Intellectual and Developmental Symptoms
Medical complications often accompany Down syndrome. These may include:
People with Down syndrome are also more prone to infection. They may struggle with respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and skin infections.
How to make then successful independent person? What do they require?
They require the following
Asperger syndrome was generally considered to be on the “high functioning” end of the spectrum. Affected children and adults have difficulty with social interactions and exhibit a restricted range of interests and/or repetitive behaviors. Motor development may be delayed, leading to clumsiness or uncoordinated motor movements. Compared with those affected by other forms of ASD, however, those with Asperger syndrome do not have significant delays or difficulties in language or cognitive development. Asperger syndrome often remains undiagnosed until a child or adult begins to have serious difficulties in school, the workplace or their personal lives. Indeed, many adults with Asperger syndrome receive their diagnosis when seeking help for related issues such as anxiety or depression. Diagnosis tends to center primarily on difficulties with social interactions.
Both children and adults can have speech and language disorders. They can occur as a result of a medical problem or have no known cause. When a person is unable to produce speech sounds correctly or fluently, or has problems with his or her voice, then he or she has a speech disorder. Difficulties pronouncing sounds, or articulation disorders, and stuttering are examples of speech disorders. When a person has trouble understanding others (receptive language), or sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings completely (expressive language), then he or she has a language disorder. A stroke can result in aphasia, or a language disorder.
Speech disorders refer to difficulties producing speech sounds or problems with voice quality. Language disorders refer to impairments in the ability to understand and/or use words in context, both verbally, and nonverbally. Children are born ready to learn a language, but they need to learn the language or languages that their family and environment use. Learning a language takes time, and children vary in how quickly they master milestones in language and speech development. Typically developing children may have trouble with some sounds, words, and sentences while they are learning. However, most children can use language easily around 5 years of age.
Children learn language by listening to others speak and by practicing. Even young babies notice when others repeat and respond to the noises and sounds they make. Children’s language and brain skills get stronger if they hear many different words. Parents can help their child learn in many different ways, such as:
This can happen both during playtime and during daily routines. Some children struggle with understanding and speaking and they need help. They may not master the language milestones at the same time as other children, and it may be a sign of a language or speech delay or disorder.
Language development has different parts, and children might have problems with one or more of the following:
Language and speech disorders can exist together or by themselves. Examples of problems with language and speech development include the following:
10 Most Common Speech-Language Disorders
What do children in with speech and language disorder?
As they may have difficulties in processing the information and reciprocate it accordingly, difficulties in following commands, difficulties in memory, difficulty in perception skills and others they require Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders. ADHD is a broad term, and the condition can vary from person to person. There are an estimated 6.4 million diagnosed children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This condition is sometimes called attention deficit disorder (ADD), but this is an outdated term. The term was once used to refer to someone who had trouble focusing but was not hyperactive. The American Psychiatric Association released the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) in May 2013. The DSM-5 changed the criteria to diagnose someone with ADHD.
Symptoms of ADHD
Symptoms as Children Get Older
What do Child diagnosed with ADHD require?
Sensory processing disorder is a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses. Some people with sensory processing disorder are oversensitive to things in their environment. Common sounds may be painful or overwhelming. The light touch of a shirt may chafe the skin. Many children with sensory processing disorder start out as fussy babies who become anxious as they grow older. These kids often don't handle change well. They may frequently throw tantrums or have meltdowns. Many children have symptoms like these from time to time. But therapists consider a diagnosis of sensory processing disorder when the symptoms become severe enough to affect normal functioning and disrupt everyday life.
Symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder
Sensory issues are usually defined as either hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness) or hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness) to sensory stimuli. Below, find some common signs of Sensory Processing Disorder
Hypersensitivities to sensory input may include:
Hyposensitivities to sensory input may include:
What do children with Sensory Processing Disorder require?
Muscular dystrophy is a group of over 30 conditions that lead to muscle weakness and degeneration. As the condition progresses, it becomes harder to move. In some cases, it can affect breathing and heart function, leading to life-threatening complications. Depending on the type and severity, the effects can be mild, progressing slowly over a normal lifespan, there may be moderate disability, or it can be fatal. There is currently no way to prevent or reverse muscular dystrophy, but different kinds of therapy and drug treatment can improve a person's quality of life and delay the progression of symptoms.
Muscular dystrophy is a group of inherited diseases that damage and weaken your muscles over time. This damage and weakness is due to the lack of a protein called dystrophin, which is necessary for normal muscle function. The absence of this protein can cause problems with walking, swallowing, and muscle coordination.
Muscular dystrophy can occur at any age, but most diagnoses occur in childhood. Young boys are more likely to have this disease than girls.
The prognosis for muscular dystrophy depends on the type and the severity of symptoms. However, most individuals with muscular dystrophy do lose the ability to walk and eventually require a wheelchair. There’s no known cure for muscular dystrophy, but certain treatments may help.
Symptoms of Muscular Dystrophy
How is Muscular Dystrophy diagnosed?
A number of different tests can help your doctor diagnose a muscular dystrophy. Your doctor can:
How is Muscular Dystrophy treated?
There’s currently no cure for muscular dystrophy, but treatments can help manage your symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Treatments depend on your symptoms.
Treatment options include:
In practical terms, muscle strength is how strong the child is and muscular endurance is how long the child’s muscles can work. Muscular endurance is the ability of a muscle or group of muscles to exert force repeatedly. Muscular endurance is similar to muscular strength in that strength is required to initiate movements, but it is the muscles endurance capacity that enables it to continue for multiple efforts. Improving strength and endurance contributes to a higher metabolism, which increases caloric use both while at work and rest, which in turn reduces the risk of obesity.
Learning difficulties can affect people of all ages; however, they are particularly problematic for children who are learning how to read and write. That’s because they may interrupt the development of key literacy skills required for students to excel in all areas of the curriculum. No two individuals with a particular learning difficulty will have the same set of symptoms, which makes it hard for educators and parents to recognize the underlying cause of performance issues such as slow reading or below average writing abilities. It’s also common for conditions to go un-diagnosed, which can lead to students not receiving the help or attention they need and result in low self-esteem and a negative attitude towards learning. This can have serious consequences when it comes to young-adults finishing school and acquiring the skills they need to be successful in today’s job market.
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.
Most dyslexics will exhibit about 10 of the following traits and behaviors. These characteristics can vary from day-to-day or minute-to-minute. The most consistent thing about dyslexics is their inconsistency.
General
Dyslexic children and adults can become avid and enthusiastic readers when given learning tools that fit their creative learning style.
Vision, Reading, and Spelling
Hearing and Speech
Writing and Motor Skills
Math and Time Management
Memory and Cognition
Behavior, Health, Development, and Personality
Developmental Co-ordination Disorder is a chronic motor skill disorder seen in children and youth, which significantly affects activities of daily living, school performance, and leisure activities.
The disorder is diagnosed by an Occupational Therapist to find the
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a condition that shows substantial difficulty in coordinating movements such as those needed to climb the playground, catch balls, complete handwriting tasks or get dressed. As a result these movement difficulties interfere with a child’s ability to perform everyday tasks and have an impact on academic achievement. Children described using the term DCD cannot have their difficulties with movement explained by a general medical condition (Cerebral Palsy, Hemiplegia or Muscular Dystrophy) and the criteria are not met for Pervasive Developmental Disorder – not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).
It can also have a big impact on learning. DCD, which is sometimes referred to as dyspraxia, makes it hard for children to do schoolwork and keep up with lessons. It can also make it hard to do everyday tasks.
Children with DCD have trouble with motor skills, like fine and gross motor skills. They can also struggle with coordination and motor planning (the ability to plan and carry out movements in the right order). Here are some of the symptoms of DCD at different ages.
Signs of DCD in Preschool
Signs of DCD in Grades K–2
Signs of DCD in Grades 3–7
Signs of DCD in Tweens and Teens
If you think your child might have DCD, reach out to an Occupational Therapist and Special Educator for appropriate help to minimize the difficulties. Because this could lead to Learning Difficulties.
Why should you seek therapy for your child with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)?
Diagnosis alone is NOT the solution. It simply opens the door to getting the help that is needed by arming all involved with the relevant information. If you think your child might have DCD, reach out to an Occupational Therapist and Special Educator for appropriate help to minimize the difficulties. Because this could lead to Learning Difficulties.
If left untreated the child with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) may have difficulties with:
Who can perfectly help your child?
Occupational Therapy and Special Education is the best solution to overcome the difficulties as early as possible.
It’s normal, on occasion, to go back and double-check that the iron is unplugged or worry that you might be contaminated by germs, or even have an occasional unpleasant, violent thought. But if you suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors become so consuming they interfere with your daily life. OCD is an anxiety disorder characterized by uncontrollable, unwanted thoughts and ritualized, repetitive behaviors you feel compelled to perform. If you have OCD, you probably recognize that your obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors are irrational—but even so, you feel unable to resist them and break free.
Like a needle getting stuck on an old record, OCD causes the brain to get stuck on a particular thought or urge. For example, you may check the stove 20 times to make sure it’s really turned off because you’re terrified of burning down your house, or wash your hands until they’re scrubbed raw for fear of germs. While you don’t derive any sense of pleasure from performing these repetitive behaviors, they may offer some passing relief for the anxiety generated by the obsessive thoughts.
You may try to avoid situations that trigger or worsen your symptoms or self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. But while it can seem like there’s no escaping your obsessions and compulsions, there are plenty of things you can do to break free of unwanted thoughts and irrational urges and regain control of your thoughts and actions.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder in which time people have recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations (obsessions) that make them feel driven to do something repetitively (compulsions). The repetitive behaviors, such as hand washing, checking on things or cleaning, can significantly interfere with a person’s daily activities and social interactions.
Many people have focused thoughts or repeated behaviors. But these do not disrupt daily life and may add structure or make tasks easier. For people with OCD, thoughts are persistent and unwanted routines and behaviors are rigid and not doing them causes great distress. Many people with OCD know or suspect their obsessions are not true; others may think they could be true (known as poor insight). Even if they know their obsessions are not true, people with OCD have a hard time keeping their focus off the obsessions or stopping the compulsive actions.
Obsessions
Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that cause distressing emotions such as anxiety or disgust. Many people with OCD recognize that the thoughts, impulses, or images are a product of their mind and are excessive or unreasonable. Yet these intrusive thoughts cannot be settled by logic or reasoning. Most people with OCD try to ignore or suppress such obsessions or offset them with some other thought or action. Typical obsessions include excessive concerns about contamination or harm, the need for symmetry or exactness, or forbidden sexual or religious thoughts.
Compulsions
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession. The behaviors are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or a feared situation. In the most severe cases, a constant repetition of rituals may fill the day, making a normal routine impossible. Compounding the anguish these rituals cause is the knowledge that the compulsions are irrational. Although the compulsion may bring some relief to the worry, the obsession returns and the cycle repeats over and over.
Some examples of compulsions:
The Many Different Types of OCD
Causes of OCD
OCD symptoms in children
While the onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder usually occurs during adolescence or young adulthood, younger children sometimes have symptoms that look like OCD. However, the symptoms of other disorders, such as ADHD, autism, and Tourette’s syndrome, can also look like obsessive-compulsive disorder, so a thorough medical and psychological exam is essential before any diagnosis is made.
Most people with obsessive-compulsive disorder have both obsessions and compulsions, but some people experience just one or the other.
Common obsessive thoughts in OCD include:
Common compulsive behaviors in OCD include:
Who can work with your child?
Along with medical intervention an Occupational Therapist along with counselling during the therapy will work on the behavior of the child or an adult to retrain the brain to avoid thoughts and behavior.
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A visual processing disorder (VPD) is associated with the delayed capacity to perceive information received through the sense of vision. The symptoms of this medical condition are unlike the complications relating to eyesight or sharpness of vision. Problems with visual processing affects the interpretation and processing of the received visual information by the brain. For example, visual-spatial processing is the ability to define the spatial localization of objects. When a child passes the vision test during clinical examination but is unable to identify the differences between a triangle and a square, eyes are not responsible for this problem. The problem is essentially higher-processed visual skills.
Visual processing disorder refers to a reduced ability to make sense of information taken in through the eyes. This is different from problems involving sight or sharpness of vision. Difficulties with visual processing affect how visual information is interpreted or processed. A person with visual processing problems may have 20/20 vision but may have difficulties discriminating foreground from background, forms, size, and position in space. The person may be unable to synthesise and analyse visually presented information accurately or fast enough. The eyes look and the brain sees.
Symptoms
Parents and teachers often notice visual perception or motor dysfunction when the child:
Signs of visual perception or motor dysfunction depend on which of the following visual problems a child has:
What kind of intervention is required to your child?
A disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures Epilepsy may occur as a result of a genetic disorder or an acquired brain injury, such as a trauma or stroke.During a seizure, a person experiences abnormal behaviour, symptoms and sensations, sometimes including loss of consciousness. There are few symptoms between seizures.Epilepsy is usually treated by medication and Occupational Therapy is required and in some cases by surgery, devices or dietary changes.A seizure is a single occurrence, whereas epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by two or more unprovoked seizures.
A seizure, formally known as an epileptic seizure, is a period of symptoms due to abnormally excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. Unprovoked seizures occur without a known or fixable cause such that ongoing seizures are likely. Unprovoked seizures may be triggered by stress or sleep deprivation.
Seizures
Seizures can take on many different forms, and seizures affect different people in different ways. Anything that the brain does normally can also occur during a seizure when the brain is activated by seizure discharges. Some people call this activity “electrical storms” in the brain.
Seizures have a beginning, middle, and end. Not all parts of a seizure may be visible or easy to separate from each other. Every person with seizures will not have every stage or symptom described below. The symptoms during a seizure usually are stereotypic (occur the same way or similar each time), episodic (come and go), and may be unpredictable.
Some people are aware of the beginning of a seizure, possibly as much as hours or days before it happens. On the other hand, some people may not be aware of the beginning and therefore have no warning.
Prodrome
Some people may experience feelings, sensations, or changes in behavior hours or days before a seizure. These feelings are generally not part of the seizure, but may warn a person that a seizure may come. Not everyone has these signs, but if they do, the signs can help a person change their activity, make sure to take their medication, use a rescue treatment, and take steps to prevent injury.
Aura
An aura or warning is the first symptom of a seizure and is considered part of the seizure. Often the aura is an indescribable feeling. Other times it’s easy to recognize and may be a change in feeling, sensation, thought, or behavior that is similar each time a seizure occurs.
Common Symptoms Before A Seizure
Awareness, Sensory, Emotional or Thought Changes:
Physical Changes:
Middle
The middle of a seizure is often called the ictal phase. It’s the period of time from the first symptoms (including an aura) to the end of the seizure activity, This correlates with the electrical seizure activity in the brain. Sometimes the visible symptoms last longer than the seizure activity on an EEG. This is because some of the visible symptoms may be aftereffects of a seizure or not related to seizure activity at all.
Common Symptoms During A Seizure
Awareness, Sensory, Emotional or Thought Changes:
Physical Changes:
Ending
As the seizure ends, the postictal phase occurs - this is the recovery period after the seizure. Some people recover immediately while others may take minutes to hours to feel like their usual self. The type of seizure, as well as what part of the brain the seizure impacts, affects the recovery period – how long it may last and what may occur during it.
Common Symptoms After A Seizure
Awareness, Sensory, Emotional or Thought Changes:
Physical Changes:
Intervention required
Periodic neurological assessment with proper Medications is the primary requirement. Therapy is definitely required to train the brain for independent living, stimulation of the brain to create new neurological pathways. This helps for strong neural plasticity of the brain.
It's Not Necessarily Alzheimer's. More than 50 conditions can cause or mimic the symptoms of dementia, and a small percentage of dementias are reversible. Two common examples are dementia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency or an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). In some types of dementia, treatment will improve mental functioning, and in a small percentage, the dementia is completely reversible if treatment begins before permanent brain damage occurs. Usually the B12 deficiency that underlies pernicious anemia is not caused by a lack of B12 in the diet. That’s because this vitamin is plentiful in eggs, dairy products, meat, fish, and poultry, and it’s efficiently stored in the liver.
What is Memory?
When an event happens, when you learn something, or when you meet someone, your brain determines whether that information needs to be saved. If your brain judges the information important, it places it in your memory "files".
You probably know your brain has different parts. Some of them are important for memory. The hippocampus is one of the more important parts of the brain that processes memories. Old information and new information, or memories, are thought to be processed and stored away in different areas of the cerebral cortex, or the "gray matter" of the brain — the largest, outermost part of the brain.
What is Memory lacking?
Some children / students face difficulties due to memory lacking are
Symptoms in Memory Lacking
We can find the following symptoms in school going children in mainstream
What is the treatment or service required?
The effect of the onset of difficulties with activities of daily living (ADLs) on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of older adults is not well understood. We identified strong longitudinal associations between ADL onset and HRQoL changes for older adults in Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs). There is robust evidence that the onset of ADL difficulties/inabilities significantly and substantially reduced age-eligible MAO beneficiaries’ HRQoL. Prevention strategies focused on ADLs would benefit the performance of MAOs.
The activities of daily living (ADLs) is a term used to collectively describe fundamental skills that are required to independently care for oneself such as eating, bathing, and mobility. ADL is used as an indicator of a person’s functional status. The inability to perform ADLs results in the dependence of other individuals and/or mechanical devices. The inability to accomplish essential activities of daily living may lead to unsafe conditions and poor quality of life.
Types of ADL
The activities of daily living are classified into basic ADLs and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs).
Basic ADL
The basic ADLs (BADL) or physical ADL are those skills required to manage one’s basic physical needs including personal hygiene or grooming, dressing, toileting, transferring or ambulating, and eating.
Instrumental ADL
The Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), which include more complex activities that are related to the ability to live independently in the community. This would include activities such as e.g., managing finances and medications, food preparation, housekeeping, laundry.
The IADL differs from ADL as people often begin asking for outside assistance when these tasks become difficult to manage independently.
What is required?
Occupational Therapy is the only solution to prepare the individual to become more independent and productive among themselves to live life independently with support or without support.
Executive functioning refers to the skills that allow us to organize, plan, problem solve, inhibit responses, transition between tasks, and monitor work and other behaviors. There is no single cause for executive dysfunction. The most common reason for a child to struggle with executive functioning is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). There is a genetic predisposition for ADHD and thus a predisposition for executive dysfunction as well. There are also numerous medical conditions, such as traumatic brain injury or stroke which can cause various executive functioning impairments. Difficulties with executive functioning can negatively influence all areas of life including academic performance, social skills, and/or home life. Typically an individual with executive dysfunction presents with a discrepancy between their cognitive aptitude and their academic performance. This is frustrating for teachers, parents, but most importantly for the individual. As it relates to social engagements these individuals sometimes do not demonstrate appropriate self-awareness and therefore may not realize that their behaviors are negatively impacting those around them.
Executive function is a broad group of mental skills that enable people to complete tasks and interact with others. An executive function disorder can impair a person’s ability to organize themselves and control their behavior.
However, executive function disorder is not a specific, standalone diagnosis or condition. Instead, neurological, mental health, and behavioral disorders, such as depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can affect a person’s executive function.
What is executive function disorder?
Executive function is a set of mental skills that help people plan, organize, manage their time, pay attention, process information, and control their behavior. Executive function issues can affect everything from how a person interacts with other people to their ability to learn and work.
A common cause of executive function problems is ADHD, but other causes can include dementia, depression, schizophrenia, autism, and traumatic injuries to the brain. Signs of executive function issues include chronic disorganization, lack of focus, memory problems, and socially inappropriate behavior.
Executive function skills help people complete tasks and interact with others. They include a range of skills, such as:
Symptoms
People with executive function issues may have the following symptoms:
Problems with executive function may lead to:
Executive function takes time to develop, so many of these behaviors are completely normal in young children. However, if these behaviors persist, they may indicate that the child has executive function issues.
Conditions that can cause executive function issues include:
What is the solution for this?
Hemiplegia, paralysis of the muscles of the lower face, arm, and leg on one side of the body. The most common cause of hemiplegia is stroke, which damages the corticospinal tracts in one hemisphere of the brain. The corticospinal tracts extend from the lower spinal cord to the cerebral cortex. They decussate, or cross, in the brainstem; therefore, damage to the right cerebral hemisphere results in paralysis of the left side of the body. Damage to the left hemisphere of a right-handed person may also result in aphasia. Other causes of hemiplegia include trauma, such as spinal cord injury; brain tumours; and brain infections.
Hemiplegia is a condition caused by brain damage or spinal cord injury that leads to paralysis on one side of the body. It causes weakness, problems with muscle control, and muscle stiffness. The degree of hemiplegia symptoms vary depending on the location and extent of the injury.
If hemiplegia onsets before birth, during birth, or within the first 2 years of life, it’s known as congenital hemiplegia. If hemiplegia develops later in life, it’s known as acquired hemiplegia. At the early stage if provided proper physical and occupational therapy, there are more chances to make the child for the improvements in the development and life skills of the child.
Hemiplegia vs. cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is a broader term than hemiplegia. It includes a variety of disorders that affect your muscles and movement.
Cerebral palsy develops either before birth or in the first few years of life. Adults can’t develop cerebral palsy Trusted Source, but a person with cerebral palsy might notice symptoms change as they age.
The most common cause of hemiplegia in children is a stroketrusted source when they’re in the womb.
Hemiplegia symptoms
Hemiplegia can affect either the left or right side of your body. Whichever side of your brain is affected causes symptoms on the opposite side of your body.
People can have different symptoms from hemiplegia depending on its severity. Symptoms can include:
Children with hemiplegia may also take longer to reach developmental milestones than their peers. They may also use only one hand when playing or keep one hand in a fist.
If hemiplegia is caused by a brain injury, the brain damage can cause symptoms that aren’t specific to hemiplegia, such as:
Hemiplegia causes
Stroke
Strokes are one of the most common causes of hemiparesis. The severity of muscle weakness that you experience can depend on the size and location of a stroke. Strokes in the womb are the most common cause of hemiplegia in children.
Brain Infections
A brain infection can cause permanent damage to the cortex of the brain. Most infections are caused by bacteria, but some infections may also be viral or fungal.
Brain Trauma
A sudden impact to your head can cause permanent brain damage. If the trauma only affects one side of your brain, hemiplegia can develop. Common causes of trauma include car collisions, sports injury, and assaults.
Genetics
An extremely rare mutation of the ATP1A3 gene can cause a condition known as alternating hemiplegia in children. It causes temporary hemiplegia symptoms that come and go. This disorder affects about 1 in 1 million people.
Brain Tumors
Brain tumors can lead to a variety of physical problems including hemiplegia. Symptoms of hemiplegia may get worse as the tumor grows.
Types of hemiplegia
The following are movement disorders that can cause hemiplegia symptoms.
Facial Hemiplegia
People with facial hemiplegia experience paralyzed muscles on one side of their face. Facial hemiplegia may also be coupled with a slight hemiplegia elsewhere in the body.
Spinal Hemiplegia
Spinal hemiplegia is also referred to as Brown-Sequard syndrome. It involves damage on one side of the spinal cord that results in paralysis on the same side of the body as the injury. It also causes loss of pain and temperature sensation on the opposite side of the body.
Contralateral Hemiplegia
This refers to paralysis on the opposite side of the body that brain damage occurs in.
Spastic Hemiplegia
This is a type of cerebral palsy that predominately affects one side of the body. The muscles on the affected side are constantly contracted or spastic.
Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood
Alternating hemiplegia of childhood usually affects children younger than 18 months old. It causes recurring episodes of hemiplegia that affect one or both sides of the body.
Interventions required at the earliest with regularity and home program can help the child for better improvements and further prognosis. Therapies required are
What is Tourette?
Tourette Syndrome is one type of Tic Disorder. Tics are involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalizations. They are the primary symptoms of a group of childhood-onset neurological conditions known collectively as Tic Disorders and individually as Tourette Syndrome (TS), Persistent (Chronic) Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder, and Provisional Tic Disorder.
These three Tic Disorders are named based on the types of tics present (motor, vocal/phonic, or both) and by the length of time that the tics have been present.
Diagnosis
Tourette Syndrome (TS), also known as Tourette’s Disorder - 1) At least 2 motor tics and at least 1 vocal (phonic) tic have been present, not necessarily at the same time. 2) Tics may wax and wane in frequency but have occurred for more than 1 year. 3) Tics started to appear before the age of 18. 4) Tics are not caused by the use of a substance or other medical condition.
Persistent (Chronic) Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder - Either motor tics OR vocal tics have been present for more than 1 year; cannot be both motor and vocal tics.
Provisional Tic Disorder - Motor and/or vocal tics have been present for less than 1 year, and have not met the criteria for TS, persistent (chronic) motor, or vocal tic disorder.
Tourette (too-RET) syndrome is a disorder that involves repetitive movements or unwanted sounds (tics) that can't be easily controlled. For instance, you might repeatedly blink your eyes, shrug your shoulders or blurt out unusual sounds or offensive words.
Tics typically show up between ages 2 and 15, with the average being around 6 years of age. Males are about three to four times more likely than females to develop Tourette syndrome.
Although there's no cure for Tourette syndrome, treatments are available. Many people with Tourette syndrome don't need treatment when symptoms aren't troublesome. Tics often lessen or become controlled after the teen years.
Symptoms
Tics — sudden, brief, intermittent movements or sounds — are the hallmark sign of Tourette syndrome. They can range from mild to severe. Severe symptoms might significantly interfere with communication, daily functioning and quality of life.
Tics are classified as:
Tics can also involve movement (motor tics) or sounds (vocal tics). Motor tics usually begin before vocal tics do. But the spectrum of tics that people experience is diverse.
Common motor tics seen in Tourette syndrome
Simple Tics
Complex Tics
Common vocal tics seen in Tourette syndrome
Simple Tics
Complex Tics
In addition, tics can:
Before the onset of motor or vocal tics, you'll likely experience an uncomfortable bodily sensation (premonitory urge) such as an itch, a tingle or tension. Expression of the tic brings relief. With great effort, some people with Tourette syndrome can temporarily stop or hold back a tic.
Co-occurring conditions
Before the onset of motor or vocal tics, you'll likely experience an uncomfortable bodily sensation (premonitory urge) such as an itch, a tingle or tension. Expression of the tic brings relief. With great effort, some people with Tourette syndrome can temporarily stop or hold back a tic.
Among people diagnosed with TS, it is estimated that 86% have been diagnosed with at least one of these additional conditions. The most common co-occurring conditions include the following:
Intervention required
Call your Occupational Therapist for desensitizing the underlying sensory issues and for behavior modification therapy to overcome the difficulties.
Postural Disorder Children with Postural Disorder (PD) demonstrate poor core strength and decreased endurance. Thus they are weak, have low endurance, and often exhibit poor balance. They tend to move inefficiently and have poor body awareness. The sensory systems most affected are the tactile (touch) and proprioceptive (muscles and joints). Behaviorally you will see slow, cautious movement, or an unwillingness to move, with a clear preference for sedentary activities. Moving on uneven surfaces (e.g., bumpy ground) is difficult. Concentration is required to maintain a stable position even during simple actions such as stepping onto an escalator, or on/off a curb. The decreased stability and poor body control in PD causes individuals to compensate by increasing their “base of support,” widening the “platform” on which the body rests. For example, sitting in a “W-sit” position provides a wider base of support as does standing with legs shoulder width apart and raising arms with bent elbows in a “primitive” posture. Children with PD often feel unstable, insecure, and unsafe; muscles those fires together automatically in most people often do not engage with equal force (e.g., quadriceps with hamstrings, abdominals with back muscles, biceps with triceps). Therapists call this poor muscle co-contraction. Postural ability is needed to stand or sit in an upright position. Those with PD fatigue quickly, often leaning against furniture, slumping over, or propping their head on their hand when at a desk. An individual with PD exhibits problems on moving surfaces and doesn’t automatically compensate when bumped by another person. This may cause a “fight, flight, or freeze” reaction if the individual with PD is forced to move; but often the person is simply sluggish and lethargic, choosing not to move. Although children with PD are less likely than children with Sensory Modulation Disorder to have self-control issues (e.g., temper tantrums, severe withdrawal), they often exhibit poor self-esteem and self-confidence. They tend to play alone because they cannot keep up physically with their peers and are at risk for becoming “loners.”
Posture is defined as placing the body in the most appropriate position relative to the whole segment and the whole body. Posture is the most decent posture with minimal effort with posture provides maximum sufficiency in the body.
Posture, static and dynamic are divided into two groups static posture is the inactive posture. Dynamic posture is an active posture that tries to adapt to the movement and continuously changing environmental conditions.
Symptoms of PD may include the following:
Causes of postural disorder can be due to many reasons based on our day to day activities e.g. holding our bag, sluggish sitting but the main reason is sensory processing difficulties. The ultimate solution is to meet an Occupational Therapist for further assessment to observe the underlying difficulties faced by the child or an adult.
A psychiatric disorder is a mental illness diagnosed by a mental health professional that greatly disturbs your thinking, moods, and/or behavior and seriously increases your risk of disability, pain, death, or loss of freedom.
Some of the Psychiatric conditions treated by an Occupational Therapist are
Occupational therapy (OT) is a holistic and client-centered health profession concerned with promoting health and well-being through occupation. The primary goal of OT is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists achieve this goal by working with people and communities to enhance their ability to engage in the occupations they want to, need to, or are expected to do, or by modifying the occupation or the environment to better support their occupational engagement.
Psychiatric disorders are associated with a variety of pathological signs and symptoms and neuro-physical complications. Structural neuro-anatomical differences (i.e., anomalies found in the brain; lesions in the brain stem, enlargement of the ventricles, brain atrophy, abnormalities in the limbic structure, cerebellum, and corpus collosum, etc.) and functional neuro-anatomical differences (i.e., hypofrontality; reduced cerebral blood flow or metabolism in frontal lobe of the brain, biochemical influences; neurotransmitters dysregulations, etc. ) play a role in the development of the positive (i.e., delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, etc.) and negative symptoms (i.e., restricted emotions, a volition, anhedonia, attention impairment, etc.) of psychiatric disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
OT has been used along with other medical treatments in treating patients with psychiatric and cognitive disorders and proven to be useful and effective in managing symptom and enhancing and/or maintaining functional performance for persons with mental health problems.
Intensive psychotherapy and OT therapeutic approaches (i.e., cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT) in addition to medication has helped more than medication alone or therapy alone.
Interdisciplinary approach provided strong evidence that intensive multidisciplinary biopsycho- social rehabilitation with a functional restoration approach (OT) improved function of persons with chronic disabling low back pain. Interdisciplinary approach applied with an a multidisciplinary program that included physical conditioning and a cognitive-behavioral approach with a concentration in OT. Strong evidence that OT over 12 months significantly reduced negative psychotic symptoms, OT interventions yielded significant improvements in relationships, performance, competence, and recreation. When working with a person with a mental health condition, occupational therapists apply a variety of evidence-based assessments and interventions.
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The myopathies are neuromuscular disorders in which the primary symptom is muscle weakness due to dysfunction of muscle fiber. Other symptoms of myopathy can include muscle cramps, stiffness, and spasm. Myopathies can be inherited (such as the muscular dystrophies) or acquired (such as common muscle cramps). Myopathies are grouped as follows:
Treatments for the myopathies depend on the disease or condition and specific causes. Supportive and symptomatic treatment may be the only treatment available or necessary for some disorders. Treatment for other disorders may include drug therapy, such as immunosuppressives, physical therapy, bracing to support weakened muscles, and surgery.
Myopathy refers to a disease of the muscles. In these cases, the muscles work less effectively than they should. That can occur when the muscles do not develop properly, when they have become damaged, or when they are lacking important components.
Muscles normally work by contracting, which means becoming shorter. A muscle is composed of proteins and other structural components that move in a coordinated manner to contract the muscle. When any of these components is defective, this may cause myopathy.
There are a number of different causes of muscle disease, and consequently, there are a number of different myopathies. Each of the different myopathies has its own specific name, cause, and set of diagnostic tests, anticipated prognosis, and treatment. Some myopathies are expected to worsen over time, while some are fairly stable. Several myopathies are hereditary, and many are not.
Symptoms
In general, myopathy causes muscle weakness. The most common pattern of weakness is described as a proximal weakness. This means that the muscles of the upper arms and upper legs are more obviously weakened than the muscles of the hands or feet. Sometimes, myopathy weakens the respiratory muscles (muscles that control breathing).
Often, when people have had myopathy for years, muscle atrophy begins to develop, which is the thinning out and wasting away of muscles, weakening the power of the muscles even more. Myopathy is often associated with an abnormal shape of the bones, often because the muscle weakness prevents the bones from maintaining their normal shape.
Other characteristics of myopathy include fatigue, lack of energy, and worsening weakness as the day goes on or progressive weakness with exertion.
Diagnosis
In general, myopathy is a difficult diagnosis. If you have symptoms of myopathy, there is a strong chance that you will get a referral to a neurologist or a rheumatologist, or both, depending on which of your symptoms is most prominent.
Diagnostic testing includes a careful physical evaluation, including examination of your skin, your reflexes, your muscle strength, your balance, and your sensation. Your doctor will take a detailed medical history and ask you about your family medical history.
There are also a number of tests that you may need, depending on your medical history and the findings of your physical examination. These tests include blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC) and electrolyte levels. Other blood tests include erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and antinuclear antibody test (ANA), which measure inflammation. Creatine kinase in the blood can evaluate muscle breakdown. Thyroid tests, metabolic, and endocrine tests may be needed.
Another test called an electromyography (EMG) is an electrical test that assesses muscle function through the use of needles that detect several characteristics of your muscle structure and movement. Sometimes, highly specialized tests such as muscle biopsy and genetic testing can help diagnose certain types of myopathy.
Types
Congenital myopathy means myopathy that a person is born with. Many of these conditions are believed to be hereditary or passed on through families by genetics. And, while the symptoms of congenital myopathies often begin at a very young age, that is not always the case. Sometimes a hereditary medical illness does not begin to produce symptoms until a person is a teenager or even an adult.
Commonly inherited myopathies include:
Congenital myopathies include:
The main difference between myopathy and muscular dystrophy is that muscles do not function properly in myopathy, whereas the muscles degenerate in muscular dystrophy.
Myopathy can also be caused by a variety of illnesses that produce a range of physical problems in addition to issues with muscle contraction.
Commonly acquired myopathies include:
Treatment
The treatment of myopathies is multidisciplinary and depends on the type of myopathy. Certain types of myopathies can be treated with immune-suppressant agents and IVIG. Most myopathies require the use of supportive services, such as physical and occupational therapy, pulmonary medicine, cardiology, dietary management, and speech/swallowing therapists. Surgical treatment of spine and limb deformities is used in long-standing cases.
Multidisciplinary Team includes:
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that is caused by degeneration of nerve cells in the part of the brain called the substantianigra, which controls movement. These nerve cells die or become impaired, losing the ability to produce an important chemical called dopamine. Studies have shown that symptoms of Parkinson's develop in patients with an 80 percent or greater loss of dopamine-producing cells in the substantianigra.
Normally, dopamine operates in a delicate balance with other neurotransmitters to help coordinate the millions of nerve and muscle cells involved in movement. Without enough dopamine, this balance is disrupted, resulting in tremor (trembling in the hands, arms, legs and jaw); rigidity (stiffness of the limbs); slowness of movement; and impaired balance and coordination – the hallmark symptoms of Parkinson's.
Occupational therapists have an added value in the care of patients with Parkinson’s disease whose daily functioning is compromised, as well as for their immediate caregivers.
Common Symptoms
Diagnosis
Presently, the diagnosis of Parkinson's is primarily based on the common symptoms outlined above. There is no X-ray or blood test that can confirm the disease. However, noninvasive diagnostic imaging, such as positron emission tomography (PET) can support a doctor's diagnosis. Conventional methods for diagnosis include:
How Occupational Therapist can help person with Parkinson’s disease?
Occupational therapists are specialists who promote health and well-being. In Parkinson’s Disease, their primary objective is to enable patients to participate in the activities of everyday life by working with them to improve their ability to engage in tasks they want to, need to, or are expected to do. In many cases, this may require modifying an occupation (task) or the environment to better support occupational engagement.
These therapists provide assessment, treatment, and recommendations in areas such as:
Occupational therapists may also help with changes in relationship dynamics by promoting the maintenance of normal roles, daily routines, and social habits as much as possible. They provide support to patients to continue working, and serve as a link between a patient and the workplace. Therapists also help with social, recreational, and leisure activities, and driving.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a slowly progressive disease of the brain that is characterized by symptoms like impairment of memory and eventually by disturbances in reasoning, planning, language, and perception.
Occupational therapy gives you and your parent or senior loved one support so that you don’t have to cope alone. Instead, you can rely on the help of an OT to help your loved one continue to enjoy and participate in life.
What is Alzheimer's disease?
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a slowly progressive disease of the brain that is characterized by impairment of memory and eventually by disturbances in reasoning, planning, language, and perception. Many scientists believe that Alzheimer's disease results from an increase in the production or accumulation of a specific protein (beta-amyloid protein) in the brain that leads to nerve cell death.
The likelihood of having Alzheimer's disease increases substantially after the age of 70 and may affect 38% of persons over the age of 85. Nonetheless, Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging and is not something that inevitably happens in later life. For example, many people live to over 100 years of age and never develop Alzheimer's disease.
What's the difference between Alzheimer's disease and dementia?
Dementia is a syndrome characterized by:
Although some kinds of memory loss are normal parts of aging, the changes due to aging are not severe enough to interfere with the level of function. Although many different diseases can cause dementia.
The Seven Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease develops gradually. The nerve damage it causes first affects learning and memory. Stages of the disease are as follows:
Stage-1: No Impairment - The individual does not experience any symptoms, and none can be assessed by a professional either.
Stage-2: Very Mild Impairment - The individual subjectively feels they forget words or common objects, but a professional cannot assess any impairment.
Stage-3: Mild Cognitive Decline -- A professional can diagnose early-stage Alzheimer’s in some individuals by stage 3. Friends and family will begin to notice deficiencies. Common problems include difficulty planning, remembering names of close friends and family, and reading with very little retention.
Stage-4: Moderate Cognitive Decline (Early-stage Alzheimer’s Disease) -- An expert will recognize clear deficiencies in several areas, including the ability to perform complex tasks like planning for dinner guests or paying bills.
Stage-5: Moderately Severe Cognitive Decline (Mid-stage Alzheimer’s Disease) -- At this stage, individuals will need help with day-to-day living as the disease creates major memory gaps. Simple arithmetic and choosing clothes may become difficult, for instance. However, they will usually know basically who they are, names of close relatives (spouse and children) and need no help eating or with the toilet.
Stage-6: Severe Cognitive Decline -- At this stage, mental difficulties continue to worsen. Individuals at stage 6 will need help with the toilet, they often become suspicious of those who help them (they often forget their identities), and tend to wander from home and become lost.
Stage-7: Very Severe Cognitive Decline (Late-stage Alzheimer’s disease) -- This stage of Alzheimer’s disease deprives people of their ability to speak, respond to their environment and eventually all motor control. Individuals with late-stage Alzheimer’s need near-constant assistance for basic needs, including holding their heads up.
10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s
How Occupational Therapy Helps With Alzheimer’s?
One of the biggest challenges with caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease is managing day to day activities as the disease progresses. That’s where an occupational therapist can be an immense source of help.
Occupational therapists focus on working with you and your family to cope with the changes that the disease brings and make life as full as possible. Occupational therapy gives you and your parent or senior loved one support so that you don’t have to cope alone. Instead, you can rely on the help of an OT to help your loved one continue to enjoy and participate in life.
Read more about how occupational therapy can help your loved one with Alzheimer’s.
The Role of an Occupational Therapist
The American Occupational Therapy Association defines an occupational therapist (OT) as a professional that:
ADLs can include:
An OT works to set up a living environment, so a parent or senior loved one can function better. They also help with adjusting ADLs to make them easier for both you and your loved one.
3 Ways Occupational Therapy Can Help People With Alzheimer’s
Improving function and safety
OTs will work with the family members and the person with the disease to assess the home environment and home safety. An OT makes recommendations for what needs to change to keep the person safe as well as what equipment can be used for daily activities to reduce the chance of injury. OTs also provide guidance on how to make daily activities easier.
An OT may recommend routine exercises that help to maintain mobility as well as to build up:
This helps to prolong your loved one’s independence.
Promoting relationships and social participation
OTs can provide help with:
Your loved one may also benefit from opportunities to do tasks that are fulfilling. An OT can help you to find and set up familiar and simple tasks such as laundry folding, simple puzzles and sorting objects.
Providing education and support to Alzheimer’s caregivers
You might benefit from learning techniques that make it easier to assist your loved one with daily activities. An OT can give you guidance on how to:
The role of the family in caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be constant and overwhelming. Occupational therapy focuses on relieving the caregiving burden by promoting independence.
A study recently found that 10 sessions of occupational therapy over five weeks significantly improved motor functioning and slowed the loss of independence in daily activities. Caregivers reported that their loved one’s daily functioning was better even up to three months after the therapy ended.
Occupational therapy gives you and your parent or senior loved one support so that you don’t have to cope alone. Instead, you can rely on the help of an OT to help your loved one continue to enjoy and participate in life.
