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 […]
Are you working with or know patients that are experiencing Spinal Cord Injury/Disease? Washington University Occupational Therapy has programming and information for you to share with them! Persons with Spinal Cord Injury/Disease may benefit from knowing about opportunities below. First, the Enabling Mobility in the Community Lab is seeking research participants to complete a phone […]
Washington University Occupational Therapy operates a student-run stroke clinic with the guidance and oversight of licensed Occupational Therapists. The clinic offers free services for under-resourced patients to help increase safety and independence for people following a stroke. We work to empower our patients and families by providing them with the knowledge and tools they need […]
Are you working with patients or community members that are wanting to make goals for themselves or focused on improving their sense of wellbeing and their overall ability to manage life’s transitions? Washington University Occupational Therapy is collaborating with Aging Ahead on an 8 – week Map Your Path To Well-Being Program. Topic areas discussed […]
This summer likely finds many people spending even more time outdoors engaging in activities that allow for social distancing such as hiking, gardening, and home maintenance projects. Think about UV safety while you are spending time outside. The American Academy of Ophthalmology and National Eye Institute offer the following recommendations that can be followed to protect your eyes […]
Summer is a time for us to relax and take a load off of our brains that we’ve been putting to heavy use throughout the academic year. But for children with executive dysfunction, the long summer break with a lack of structure can hurt their brains’ ability to maintain what they just learned in school, […]
Parents are always looking for ways to keep their kids engaged and learning throughout the summer. But it seems like this summer, the need for summer activities for kids are even more apparent. The school year did not wrap up the way it was intended; many homes were turned into classrooms, and many parents were […]
If you are parenting a young child, and you are simultaneously working from home during the COVID pandemic, you know all too well this spring has been nothing short of upside down. Your parenting and professional roles have been mashed together without warning or precedent. How do you get ANYTHING done without occupying your kids […]
As we close out a month of celebrating Occupational Therapy 2020 during the COVID 19 crisis, we want to take time to reflect on some of the positive changes this unprecedented event has ushered in. For the past 6-8 weeks, life has been something very different for all of us. We have been told to […]
What should we celebrate in the month of April during these difficult times, I know…National OT Month! Some of you may be asking yourself, what is OT or Occupational Therapy? Well, Occupational Therapy is a profession that assists people throughout their lifetime to do the things they desire and need to do through the therapeutic […]
Juggling roles during a major life event takes some time to transition, both physically and mentally. But recently, we’ve all been forced through multiple major transitions with little time to process and things constantly changing. No matter what your role is during these uncertain times, there are steps you can take to set up yourself, […]
Most of us have heard of the term concussion but not many are familiar with the diagnosis of Post Concussion Syndrome. This diagnosis occurs when symptoms of a concussion linger beyond the normal time frame for healing. Symptoms may include: Though they may look fine on the outside, people with post-concussion syndrome often have a […]
The importance of sleep is underappreciated. Many people wear a lack of sleep as a badge of honor, believing that they can “catch up” when they miss it or that sleep is a waste of productive time. On the contrary—quality sleep helps to heal the body! While the amount of sleep needed varies for different […]
Eye conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy can cause impaired vision and make it difficult to perform daily tasks. Occupational therapists can help those with low vision best use their remaining vision, however, limited, to be as successful and independent as possible in daily life. Occupational therapists will assist with adapting the […]
5 ways OT can help build a Healthier, Happier “You” in 2020! Learn more about our services…
Paying attention to your ABCs can decrease the risk of stroke and will promote positive health changes. A – A1C is a blood test used to diagnose diabetes and pre-diabetes. Diabetes is a well-established risk factor for stroke. Learning about your diabetes risk will help you better understand your stroke risk. “A” can also stand […]
It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed during the holidays; a time when your calendar fills up and your to-do list keeps growing. In the midst of trying to keep track of everything, the most important things about the holidays can get lost in the shuffle. Adding a couple of the tips below […]
It is known as a time for family and friends gathering, shopping, car trips to see the relatives, the list goes on and on. The holiday season is upon us! Many children and families find this time to be a struggle. For some, it is due to the excitement of the holiday, for others the […]
With November being National Diabetes Awareness Month, the timing seems appropriate to talk about Washington University Occupational Therapy and how our chronic disease self-management services provide strategies, behaviors, and principles to help patients who are experiencing life with diabetes both Type 1 or Type 2. Occupational therapy services are valuable in the management of many […]
Do you or your colleagues treat patients that suffer from pain in their hands? Join us as we host the American Society of Hand Therapists and their traveling course, “Beating Pain.” This full-day course will review contemporary pathophysiological mechanisms underlying pain. Using insights into the somatosensory experience of pain, specific assessments and treatment strategies will […]
Pain, a symptom that often accompanies chronic health conditions, can turn your world upside down. On one hand, you may find yourself becoming more inactive to keep the pain from getting worse. On the other hand, you may overexert yourself to prove that you can still complete desired activities. No matter what, the changes in […]
Unable to walk due to the neuromuscular disorder, Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), Kyle Bryant and a team of friends attempt the most grueling bicycle race in the world, The Race Across America (RAAM). The feature-length documentary, “TheAtaxian,” spotlights a man whose will and determination carry him and his teammates across a continent under almost impossible conditions-an […]
With back to school mode in full swing, how can you help your children stay on top of all they’ve got to do, without you losing your mind? Check out the quick tips below to solve some common childhood school-related problems. Solution: Make time visual. Our kids benefit from planners just as much as we […]
Washington University Occupational Therapy is offering a free student-led clinic supervised by a licensed OT for people with spinal cord injury/disease. The Collaborative Community Clinic (CCC) is housed within the Paraquad Health and Wellness Center at 5200 Berthold (between the Science Center and Forrest Park Community College). The CCC conducts the SCI/D Health and Participation […]
June is Alzheimer’s and brain awareness month. One reason we promote awareness of brain health is that some forms of dementia are preventable. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. Just like other parts of our body, the brain needs care, exercise, and attention.
Summer is a time for us to relax and take a load off of our brains that we’ve been putting to heavy use throughout the academic year. But for children with executive dysfunction, the long summer break with a lack of structure can hurt their brains’ ability to maintain what they just learned in school. Our executive functions are the cognitive skills that help us make and carry out a plan, such as setting up a lemonade stand, playing hide and go seek with friends, or completing a book report. Children with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder or learning disabilities often have difficulty with executive functioning skills, but children with other diagnoses, or even without a diagnosis, can also struggle.