Milliken Hand Therapist Part of Team Published in Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online

While the work began in 2020 Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Center, Hand Therapist, Stacy Baker, MOT, OTR/L, CHT recently learned her work with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and St. Louis Children’s Hospital colleagues was recently published in the Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online. The purpose of the article was to look […]

A Successful Return To School With ADHD

The beginning of a new school year marks a fresh start and a world of opportunities for students, including those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Often parents and children with ADHD, struggle to identify how to organize and identify tools and strategies to help them have a successful start. By implementing a range of […]

Summer Eye Health

Sunglasses

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 […]

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Group Program

What Is Cognitive Stimulation Therapy? 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 […]

OT and Mental Health

Mental Health

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 Habit Development & Coaching

Weight loss & Support

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 […]

Celebrating The Roots of “Occupation” In Occupational Therapy

Mary Reilly Occupational Therapy Quote

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 […]

It’s Time To Celebrate OT Month!

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.  […]

A Brain Training Boost

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 […]

Taking Control of ADHD

ADHD

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 […]

Show Some Love To Your Heart

Heart Health

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 […]

Parkinson’s OT Services

OT with Parkinson's Patient

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 […]

Transition Time: Back2School

Smiling Student Heading to School

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 […]

Keeping School Lunches Interesting

School Lunch

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 […]

Summer Eye & Vision Safety

Eye & Vision Health

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 […]

Fireworks & Hand Safety

4th of July Hands

As we approach the 4th of July, it is important to keep in mind that the use of even the smallest fireworks can result in devastating injuries. Sparklers reach temperatures over 1000 degrees and can easily burn skin or ignite clothing. Larger fireworks can fracture fingers or amputate portions of the hand.  While these injuries may […]

Summer Activities For The Kids

Summer Activities For Kids

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 […]

Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health

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 […]

Milliken PT publishes paper in Springer Nature’s publication

SCI Image

Nerve transfers are a surgical technique used to restore function in people with a nerve injury. The Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Center is well known in the hand therapy world for its work with these patients due to their close relationship with the Washington University Physicians who are world-renowned for developing this type of reconstructive surgery. […]

Cancer Survivorship Services

Cancer Survivorship

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 […]

OT Month Celebration

OT Month

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 […]

Chronic Condition Spring Safety Tips

Spring Chronic Conditions

Spring is a time of awakening.  As we wake up from our winter slumber, we are eager to be more active.  This could mean getting back to recreational activities such as hiking, biking, or participating in an outdoor sport.  Or it could mean doing housekeeping activities such as spring cleaning or gardening.  Returning at full […]

Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month

Parkinson's

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 […]

Expanding To Washington

Reviewing Washington Clinic Plans

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 […]

The Importance of Lymphedema Therapy

Lymphedema Therapy Team

Following breast cancer, your risk of developing lymphedema may increase based on risk factors such as radiation or lymph node removal. Being able to receive lymphedema therapy is key to your long-term health outcome. Signs and symptoms of lymphedema include heaviness, tightness, or fullness of the affected area. You may notice that clothes or jewelry […]

Common Sense of Learned Skills?

Activity at Train Your Brain Summer Camp

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 […]

Driving Evaluation Program

Driving Evaluation

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 […]

5 Ways To A Healthier You In 2022 – Stroke Prevention!

Heart Health

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 […]

5 Tips for a Healthy Thanksgiving

Healthy Thanksgiving Tips

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 […]

“Turn the lights on” this holiday season with iCST

CST Program for dementia patients

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 Leads to Better Health & Well-Being

Patient Self-Advocacy In Healthcare

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 […]

Fieldwork Students Help Community Members Map Path to Independence

Participants on Map Your Path

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 […]

USAWR Brings Home Silver Medal!

USAWR Paralympics Tokyo 2020

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 […]

Functional Neurological Disorder

OT with FND Patient

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 […]

Occupational Performance Center (OPC)

Occupational Performance Center

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 […]

Research on Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's Research

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 […]

Physical Activity As An Occupation

Physical Activity

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 […]

Your Kid Needs a Brain Break

Active Kids Summer Camp

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 […]

Celebrate OT Month During April!

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.  […]

What Is Coronasomnia?

Man issue sleeping

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 […]

American Heart Month “Self-Care” Routine Tips

Heart Awareness, self-care

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;

Infant Toddler Autism Program (ITAP)

Father and Son Playing

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 […]

2020 Clinical Publications Work

Plastic and Reconstructive Clinical Publication

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 […]

Stay Focused On Your 2021 Goals

Smart Goals

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 […]