Occupational Therapy is a profession that assists people throughout their lifetime and believes that participation in daily activities (aka occupations) is vital to mental health and well-being. Your Washington University Occupational Therapist may help you utilize familiar activities as coping mechanisms, such as listening to music, playing cards, writing, doodling, cooking, or cleaning to help provide calming […]
OT Weight-loss program Washington University Occupational Therapy offers rehabilitation services that are personalized to help you overcome barriers related to performing everyday activities that can be complicated by excess weight. The goal of our program is to find the best solutions to support your weight loss journey. What does this program include? Occupational Therapy’s Weight-loss […]
The profession of occupational therapy is rooted in a rich history and maintains an ever growing brightness in its future. In 1962, occupational therapist, Mary Reilly remarked in her Eleanor Clarke Slagle lecture, “Man, through the use of his hands, as they are energized by mind and will can influence the state of his own […]
Washington University Occupational Therapy works with many healthcare providers, physician groups, living facilities, and community organizations to provide the best OT care, When & Where our patients need it most. During the month of April, we will be celebrating our OT providers and colleagues and all that they do for our adult and pediatric patients. […]
Executive functioning (EF) skills are important for our everyday lives, including self-care, school, work, social interactions, and leisure activities. But a myriad of diagnoses and disorders can impair these critical cognitive skills in our children, from ADHD and autism spectrum disorder, to cancer and chemotherapy treatment, and mood disorders. Executive functioning delays and deficits can […]
Many people are familiar with Attention – Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as it effects millions of children and adults every day. The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth edition (DSM-5) defines ADHD as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity–impulsivity that was present before age of 12 has clear evidence that the symptoms […]
February is filled with images of hearts, and is a good a time as any to give a little extra thought to your own. Protecting yourself from heart disease helps protect your life. Heart disease types include angina, heart attack, heart failure and arrhythmia. 9-1-1 should be called right away for signs of a heart […]
Washington University Occupational Therapy offers rehabilitation services that are personalized to help you overcome barriers related to performing everyday activities that can be complicated by Parkinson’s disease. The goal of our program is to find the best solutions to support your independence at home and to maintain quality of life. What is occupational therapy? Occupational […]
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that by 2060, there will be about 14 million Americans living with dementia, which is not part of normal aging but caused by a number of conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular disorders, and neurological problems. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy is here as an intervention. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy […]
Starting a new school year can be stressful for all members of the household. While the return to school will be exciting for some students (and maybe a welcome change for parents), others may be feeling anxious or frightened about heading to school for possibly the first time or attending a new school. Here are […]
It’s back-to-school season and children are heading to the classroom for a new school year filled with learning, growing, playing, and not to be forgotten, eating! School lunches and snacks are important opportunities for your child to eat and get the energy they need to learn and to participate in classroom activities. But if your […]
As we enjoy the summertime outdoors engaging in activities such as hiking, gardening, swimming, and home maintenance projects it’s important to consider the effects of the sun and protecting your eye & vision health! July is healthy vision month and while spending time outdoors and getting exercise are vital, so are your eyes. The American […]
The start of summer is such a fun and exciting time for kids! But, for many the lazy, hazy days of summer can start to drag if the kids are bored or spend too much time in front of the screen. However, with a little bit of planning, it’s easy to keep kids engaged in […]
Occupational Therapy is a profession that assists people throughout their lifetime and believes that participation in daily activities (aka occupations) is vital to mental health and well-being. Your Washington University Occupational Therapist may help you utilize familiar activities as coping mechanisms, such as listening to music, playing cards, writing, doodling, cooking, or cleaning to help provide calming […]
Cognitive changes are a common side-effect of cancer treatments for many adult cancer survivors. Increased fatigue, stress, and anxiety are also among the most common symptoms experienced. The combination of these symptoms and side effects can profoundly impact participation in daily activities and reduce quality of life. The interventions used in our Cancer Survivorship Program […]
Washington University Occupational Therapy works with many healthcare providers, physician groups, living facilities, and community organizations to provide the best care, When & Where our patients need it most. During the month of April, we will be celebrating OT Month and promoting all that our providers and colleagues in the field do for our adult and pediatric […]
April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month. Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive neurologic condition that affects dopamine production in the brain. Approximately one million people in the U.S. are living with PD. Parkinson’s is a movement disorder and is characterized by motor symptoms that include slow movement, stiff joints, impaired coordination, and tremor; as […]
Ryan Risley, MPM, meets with contractors just weeks before OT Services’ new clinic in Washington, Mo., is set to open. The 2,500-square-foot space is located approximately 50 miles west of downtown St. Louis in Franklin County. It is the culmination of four years of research, strategizing and planning for Risley, the manager of practice development […]
Parents – does this sound like you? If so, then you are most definitely NOT alone! Some of these skills may seem like common sense. Skills in one area, like math or tinkering and building, are strengths for our children. But these skills don’t necessarily translate to other important areas of functioning, like remembering to […]
Washington University Occupational Therapy offers Comprehensive Driving Evaluations for persons who are recovering or have been impacted by a medical condition and want to know if they are safe to drive. The driving evaluation program is coordinated by a certified driving rehabilitation specialist Peggy P. Barco, Associate Professor who specializes in research related to older adult […]
Washington University Occupational Therapy works with our patients on self-management and self-care all year-round. With February being American Heart Month we want to promote self-care heart-healthy tips for your daily routine. Below are some actions that you can include in your routine; These few basic tips will help you begin or refocus on your journey toward […]
The age-old question that actors have been asking Directors… This phrase directly applies to everyone as we take on a new year. Are you motivated this year to pursue new health goals, career objectives, or personal initiatives? Motivation is the beginning of all choices.
While our title, “5 Ways To A Healthier You In 2022 – Stroke Prevention!” is focused on this year, we must make note that In December 2021, the beloved American icon, Betty White passed away of a stroke at 99 years old. We feel the time to increase awareness of strokes and ways to prevent […]
Thanksgiving only comes around once a year, so why not go ahead and splurge? Year after year, we can all attest that during the holidays thinking about healthy eating may not be our primary consideration. But Thanksgiving does not have to sabotage your diets. With a little self-control, we can satisfy our desire for traditional […]
The holidays are fast approaching and many people are preparing to gather with close family and friends. For many, this is a time to reminisce and think of fond memories from past holidays. It is also an opportunity to see a family member with dementia. Here are some tips and ideas for planning meaningful activities […]
Self-advocacy is often a phrase that may be misunderstood and certainly underappreciated when it comes to managing your own health and well-being. It is a practice that can be learned by anyone. An added benefit is that there is evidence showing when you learn how to self-advocate and practice it, you can improve your quality […]
Master’s-level Washington University Occupational Therapy students, Jacqueline Crues and Logan Reeves, engaged in a unique dual-setting fieldwork rotation during the 2021 summer term. This multifold experience entailed delegating a portion of their fieldwork hours interning in a traditional clinical setting within the Washington University Occupational Therapy outpatient clinic, while the remaining time was allotted for […]
CLINICAL SERVICES FOR SPINAL CORD PATIENTS Are you working with or know patients that are experiencing Spinal Cord Injury/Disease? Washington University Occupational Therapy has programming and information below for you to share with them! Washington University and The Orthwein Center at Paraquad provide a variety of services for people with spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D). If […]
Washington University Occupational Therapist & Instructor, Sue Tucker, OTD, OTR/L, ATP is an Assistant Coach for USA Wheelchair Rugby (USAWR), and this past week Sue was helping guide the team as they played on the big stage in the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020! The USAWR Team had an outstanding showing at the Paralympic Games Tokyo […]
Washington University Occupational Therapy has developed a program to treat patients experiencing functional neurological disorders. A Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a medical condition in which there is a problem with the functioning of the nervous system and how the brain and body send and/or receive signals. The FND program at Washington University Occupational Therapy […]
The Occupational Performance Center (OPC) is a work assessment rehabilitation program that is unlike others in the St. Louis area. Our teams’ expertise in neurological conditions and the impact they can have on thinking skills and physical performance makes us stand apart from the rest. Occupational Therapists in the Occupational Performance Center work with individuals […]
Our Clinic Manager, Jamie Archer, MOT, OTR/L was recently published for her work on Occupational Therapy Interventions for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living for Adults With Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review. Congratulations to Jamie and her colleagues for their work and recent publication in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT). Click here or the […]
While the school year might be over and “traditional” learning is on pause for a few months, the summer is a great time to help kids continue to learn and gain skills. Keeping kids active and learning over the summer helps make sure they are ready for the grade ahead and don’t regress in any […]
Here are some tips and strategies to help with mental fatigue:
Did you know physical activity is a main occupation for all human beings? It just happens to fall under a larger umbrella “occupation” known as Health Management. On a daily basis, we engage in many activities aimed at developing, managing, and maintaining health and well-being routines in order to support being able to participate in […]
After the school year that our kids just went through, their brains are fried. Isn’t yours? Especially for our children with learning needs, this year’s virtual learning environment presented huge challenges. We are multisensory beings in a vibrant environment, and we learn through all of our senses. Online school only gives our children visual and […]
Washington University Occupational Therapy works with many healthcare providers, physician groups, living facilities, and community organizations to provide the best OT care, When & Where our patients need it most. During the month of April, we will be celebrating our OT providers and colleagues and all that they do for our adult and pediatric patients. […]
One year has passed since the world shut down in response to the pandemic. During that time, life has been full of unexpected twists and turns. Who has not laid awake in the bed during the pandemic, restless and wondering what is going to happen next or asking how will everything get done? Those periods […]
Washington University Occupational Therapy works with our patients on self-management and self-care all-year-round. With February being American Heart Month we want to promote self-care heart-healthy tips for your daily routine. Below are some actions that you can include in your routine;
The Infant Toddler Autism Program (ITAP) has recently made its home in the Washington University Occupational Therapy Pediatric Services portfolio of clinical offerings. In addition to providing community education and student learning opportunities, ITAP offers a high-quality, parent-mediated, early intensive behavioral intervention service for infants and toddlers through the MC²: Motivation, Connection, Communication intervention. MC² […]
In 2020 our Therapists provided their expertise to the following Clinical Publications & Journals: Citations: Berlet, L., & Kaskutas, V. (2020). Developing occupation kits in a Hand Therapy Student Experiential Learning Clinic. Hand Therapy, 25(2), 73-82. Cochrane, S. K., Calfee, R. P., Stonner, M. M., & Dale, A. M. (2020). The relationship between depression, anxiety, and pain […]
The beginning of the year is the most common time to set self-improvement goals. However, after just a few weeks into the New Year, many people find themselves discouraged, not focused, and ready to abandon their goals. If this sounds familiar, it is quite possible your goal statement and plans to get there are the […]
We are pleased to announce that we are now offering Pediatric Visual Disorders services. Sight is one of our most important senses and any deficit in vision can affect a child’s ability to learn and engage in daily activities. Visual disorders in children can include both deficits in their visual acuity and in their visual […]
The holidays this year are going to look a little bit different than what we are used to with social distancing, masks, and possible outdoor meals on the horizon. During this time, our annual celebrations with family and friends are so important for our mental health, but it is equally important to stay safe. As […]
November and December are times that families cherish; as it brings warm memories of cherished traditions. Many emotions surround this timeframe including stress, excitement, and love. 2020 has brought with it many changes to how we do things within our own families and our communities. Which will affect how we will celebrate this holiday season. […]
What is in store for you and your family this holiday season? How much thought have you given it? One of the hardest things we are faced with this year is that there aren’t always clear right and wrong decisions when it comes to what, where, with whom, and how to engage in our meaningful […]
This month we are highlighting and giving a special congratulations to one of our Pediatric Therapists, Karen Balk, MOT, OTR/L. Karen presented her pediatric research work on GNAo1 disorders internationally earlier this month. Karen’s pediatric research presentation on patients with GNAo1 disorder and gene mutations was attended by roughly 160 attendees from 20 different countries […]
Washington University Occupational Therapy is now offering virtual sessions of individual cognitive stimulation therapy (iCST) with a goal of training care partners to administer sessions at home with their loved ones with dementia. What is cognitive stimulation therapy? Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is an evidence-based short term intervention created for people with mild to moderate […]