Occupational therapy
A therapy with multiple facets
From infants to the elderly, everyone may encounter an occupational therapist at some point in their life. Whether for occasional assistance or regular follow-up, occupational therapy addresses daily challenges. “Occupation” refers to meaningful and purposeful activities. We analyse how you function, what limits you, and how to address these limitations. We also prevent situations that pose risks or difficulties and, when necessary, modify the environment accordingly.
Occupational therapy helps you overcome challenges that prevent you from accomplishing meaningful activities. If an injury, illness, disability, or other issue limits your ability to perform personal care, move, communicate, engage in leisure activities, work, study, or complete tasks specific to you, an occupational therapist can work with you to find solutions.
Together, we can address daily challenges, remove barriers, regain your social roles, and lead a satisfying life.
Assessment Skills
Ability to evaluate a patient's physical, cognitive, and emotional needs to develop appropriate treatment plans.
Therapeutic Techniques
Knowledge of various therapeutic interventions to improve patients' motor, cognitive, and sensory abilities.
Adaptation Skills
Proficiency in modifying environments, activities, and tools to suit the needs of individuals with disabilities or limitations.
Problem-Solving
Ability to identify challenges and create effective strategies to help patients overcome barriers to independence.
Occupational therapy for specific support at every stage
3- 6 years old
Enhancement of cognitive and executive skills (attention, memory and flexibility), visuospatial, pre-writing, praxis, and fine/gross motor skills. Development of sensory capacities and socio-emotional skills.
- Cognitive abilities
- Motor abilities
- Sensitive abilities
- Pre-writing abilities
6- 18 years old
Enhancement of cognitive and executive functions (attention, memory and flexibility), autonomy in daily life. Development of graphomotor skills (such as writing). Provision of technical aids during school time to compensate for difficulties encountered.
- Cognitive abilities
- Motor abilities
- Sensitive abilities
- Graphic abilities
>18 years old
Improvement of motor, cognitive, and sensory abilities. Adapt the home and workplace according to the person's abilities and needs.
- Cognitive disorders
- Motor disorders
- Sensitive disorders
- Home and Work adaptation
Main applications
Occupational therapy is aimed at all types of populations
Children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly who face physical, cognitive, or psychological challenges that limit their autonomy and independence in daily life.
Types of difficulties that lead to consulting an occupational therapist:
- Specific learning disabilities (e.g., writing difficulties)
- Developmental delays
- Sensory disorders
- Temporary or permanent disabilities
- Chronic illnesses
- Psychological disorders
- Cognitive disorders
- Motor impairments
With children, in the context of:
– Neurodevelopmental disorders: Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) or “dyspraxia,” Autism Spectrum Disorders (Autism, Asperger syndrome), ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and Intellectual Disabilities (e.g., Down syndrome).
– Brain injuries: Traumatic brain injury and Cerebral palsy.
Optimizing Writing Skills: by developing the speed and quality of handwriting. The use of digital tools may also be recommended. Support for using writing aid software (such as Antidote, IntoWord, Lexibar…) is then provided.
Strengthening Organizational and Cognitive Skills: developing strategies to help the child plan and organize tasks, manage time effectively, and improve working memory, attention, and concentration skills.
Develop Fine and Gross Motor Skills: improve fine motor coordination (writing, cutting) and gross motor skills (balance, movement coordination) as well as praxic skills.
Improving the Child’s Autonomy in School and Daily Activities: using adaptive strategies and routines that promote independence. Adaptations may involve the child’s learning environment. It is also important to inform the child’s close circle about potential supports for their learning.
Enhancing Social Skills and Self-Confidence: improving social interactions while strengthening self-esteem and motivation to learn.
Improve Attention and Concentration: develop strategies to maintain focus on specific tasks using time management techniques, regular breaks, and sensory self-regulation methods to minimize distractions.
Strengthen Organizational Skills: plan and organize tasks by creating structured routines.
Develop Fine and Gross Motor Skills: enhance fine motor coordination and gross motor skills (balance, movement and coordination).
Promote Autonomy in Daily Activities.
Facilitate Emotional and Behavioral Regulation and Optimize Social Skills: teach techniques to manage emotions and impulsive behaviors.
Adapt the Learning Environment: recommend specific adjustments at school and home to reduce distractions and support the child’s learning.
Improving Fine or Gross Motor Skills: practice specific exercises to improve movement coordination, such as object manipulation exercises or coordination games.
Developing Balance and Proprioception: improve static and dynamic balance.
Sensory Integration: use occupational therapy techniques to help integrate sensory information and improve adaptive responses to stimuli.
Promote Autonomy in Daily Activities.
Adaptation of the Work and Study Environment: modify the physical environment to reduce difficulties related to coordination.
Improve sensory modulation: filter, prioritize, and regulate sensory stimuli (visual, auditory and tactile) to reduce hypersensitivity or sensory-seeking behaviors and improve tolerance to various sensory environments.
Develop self-regulation strategies: teach techniques to regulate sensory responses, such as using movement or sensory stimulation tools (fidgets and listening to music) to maintain an optimal level of arousal.
Strengthen fine and gross motor skills: work on motor coordination and manual skills through activities involving manipulation, balance, gross motor skills, and fine motor skills.
Enhance sensory integration: offer specific activities (proprioceptive, vestibular and tactile) for better adaptive responses during daily life activities.
Promote autonomy in daily activities.
Adapt the environment to promote sensory well-being: adjust the environment to create a more comfortable and secure sensory framework.
Improve social and emotional skills: work on the impact of sensory disorders on social skills. Better understand and communicate sensory needs, develop social adaptation skills, and strengthen self-confidence.
Encourage participation in school and leisure activities: use sensory strategies to support concentration, attention, and active participation in children’s school and leisure activities by incorporating sensory breaks or sensory regulation exercises.
Improve Sensory Modulation: filter, prioritize, and regulate sensory stimuli to reduce hypersensitivity or sensory-seeking behaviors and improve tolerance to diverse sensory environments.
Develop Self-Regulation Strategies: teach techniques to regulate sensory responses, such as using movement or sensory stimulation tools (fidgets and listening to music) to maintain an optimal level of arousal.
Strengthen Fine and Gross Motor Skills: work on motor coordination and manual skills through activities involving manipulation, balance, gross motor skills, and fine motor skills.
Enhance Sensory Integration: provide specific activities for better adaptive responses during daily life activities.
Promote Autonomy in Daily Activities: encourage independence in activities of daily living by adapting tasks and routines to the child’s needs and abilities.
Adapt the Environment to Promote Sensory Well-Being: make adjustments to the environment to create a more comfortable and secure sensory setting.
Improve Social and Emotional Skills: address the impact of sensory issues on social skills. Help the child better understand and communicate their sensory needs, develop social adaptation skills, and build self-confidence.
With adults and elderly people, in the context of:
– Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Spinal cord injury (paraplegia, tetraplegia), Rheumatoid arthritis, Lower back pain and Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).
– Neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease) and Psychomotor slowing.
Improvement of Cognitive Functions: support to improve attention, memory, and executive abilities.
Development of Compensatory Strategies: propose techniques and strategies to compensate for cognitive deficits.
Adaptation of the Environment: modify the person’s environment to reduce cognitive obstacles and increase safety and efficiency in daily activities.
Improvement of Autonomy: help the person regain or maintain independence in activities of daily living.
Training for Caregivers: provide advice and training to family caregivers and healthcare professionals to better understand cognitive disorders and learn strategies to effectively support the person.
Improvement of Muscle Strength: increase the functional strength of the upper limb muscles (from shoulder to fingers) for functional purposes.
Increase in Range of Motion: improve shoulder flexibility to reach a high shelf without pain.
Coordination of Movements: develop hand-eye coordination to grasp and manipulate small objects, such as buttons or coins.
Precision of Movements: perform fine motor tasks.
Functional Recovery
Promote Autonomy in Daily Activities.
Improvement of tactile discrimination: recognize and differentiate various textures (rough, smooth, soft, hard) with hands without looking.
Reduction of hypersensitivity: tolerate various materials (such as wool, sand, or cold water) for a period without withdrawal reactions or excessive discomfort.
Enhancement of proprioception: identify the position of the hand and fingers with eyes closed, thereby improving the ability to perform precise movements without relying on sight.
Management of painful sensations: use sensory modulation techniques (such as deep pressure or massages) to reduce sensory discomfort during daily activities.
Sensory adaptation: use technical aids or compensatory strategies to improve participation in activities despite sensory deficits, for example by using kitchen utensils with textured handles for a better grip.
Securing the Environment: identify and reduce potential risks of falls and accidents at home by installing safety equipment.
Facilitating Accessibility: adapt the environment to improve accessibility to different rooms in the living space.
Improving Autonomy: modify the home to enable the person to independently perform activities of daily living.
Adapting Equipment: recommend or adapt assistive devices and equipment to meet the specific needs of the person.
Support and Training for Caregivers: train and inform caregivers on home adaptations and how to effectively support the person in their activities at home.
Encouraging Social Participation: adapt the home to facilitate social interactions.
Adaptation of the Work Environment: propose modifications to the work environment to improve comfort and productivity.
Prevention of Work-Related Injuries: develop strategies to prevent injuries, such as musculoskeletal disorders.
Selection and Adjustment of Equipment: recommend or adjust ergonomic equipment according to the individual’s abilities and needs.
Training in Ergonomics and Best Work Practices: train employees to recognize signs of fatigue or injury and educate them on best work practices.
Adaptative climbing
Climb your challenges
With a strong passion for bouldering, I’ve also trained in adaptive climbing. Research indicates that incorporating climbing into the therapeutic programs for example children with ADHD can lead to significant improvements in various aspects of their development and well-being.
Improvement of concentration
Climbing requires continuous attention to plan and execute each movement, which can help children with ADHD develop their concentration skills.
Boosting Self confidence
Successfully climbing and reaching new heights can boost children's self-confidence, showing them they can overcome challenges.
Devlopment of Motor coordination
Climbing involves precise coordination between the hands and feet, which can help children improve their overall and fine motor skills.
Development of problem-solving skills
Each climbing route offers unique challenges, requiring children to think and come up with solutions