This valuable resource is written for therapists and teachers, vocational instructors, parents, and all environmentalists who wish to use their ingenuity to create useful therapy products from common objects. Author Barbara Smith, M.S., OTR, reasons that when she finds alternative uses for plastics and recycles them, not only does she avoid having to purchase the material, but she also reduces the amount of waste deposited in the environment. Many a pattern can be carved from a plastic bottle. Cut a large detergent bottle to provide a surface for weaving. Snip off narrow bottle necks and use them as rings on a dowel. Cut off a hollow bottle handle, and you have something to fit a peg inside, or cut up that same bottle to make disks for stringing on a colorful length of discarded jump rope. For imaginary play, cut out space boats and weird helmets. The possibilities are endless! The therapy products described in this book are made mostly-if not entirely-from recycled throwaways. These materials are easily collected, free, and versatile. The products can be used over and over again, and creating them can be fun and rewarding. The products and activities are presented in three categories-fine-motor activities, gross-motor activities, and sensory activities. The activities are presented in a cookbook fashion, with a brief description of the material or activity, a list of needed materials, construction directions, and suggested uses and adaptations. The Appendixes provide six lists for guidance in planning of activities for clients. Terms used throughout the book are defined in the Glossary. Although the activities in this 155-page manual are designed for adults with developmental disabilities, many are appropriate for clients of all ages, with or without developmental delays.

Presents an emerging model in which occupational therapists practice as part of a team of vision rehabilitation professionals serving adults with low vision. Occupational therapists offer a unique contribution to the vision rehabilitation team, with a focus on meaningful occupational goals, the incorporation of occupation into therapy, and the orchestration of environmental, social, and non-visual personal factors into a treatment plan. The authors have developed a practical and straightforward text outlining an evaluation approach to interventions that focus on recovering occupational performance in adults.

This practical guide for occupational therapists introduces a tried and tested method for moving from assessment to intervention, by formulating plans and measurable goals using the influential Model of Human occupation (MOHO). Section 1 introduces the concept of formulation – where it comes from, what it involves, why it is important, and how assessment information can be guided by theoretical frameworks and organised into a flowing narrative. Section 2 provides specific instructions for constructing occupational formulations using the Model of Human Occupation. In addition, a radically new way for creating aspirational goals is introduced - based on a simple acronym - which will enable occupational therapists to measure sustained changes rather than single actions. Section 3 presents 20 example occupational formulations and goals, from a wide range of mental health, physical health and learning disability settings, as well as a prison service, and services for homeless people and asylum seekers. Designed for practising occupational therapists and occupational students, this is an essential introduction for all those who are looking for an effective way to formulate plans and goals based on the Model of Human Occupation.

This challenging and innovative book explores the political aspects of occupational therapy. It looks at how practitioners may develop political awareness in order to aid community development. A Political Practice of Occupational Therapy is about maximizing the potential impact of occupational therapists' engagements and ensuring the profession is working towards the contruction of a civic society. It is supported by twelve chapters of practice examples from the UK, US, Georgia and Australia, as well as a history of the profession as an agency for social change. It asks: - How is it possible to introduce the political into a profession that is linked to health and social care? - What form could political practice take, and how could the political components of practice be analyzed and evaluated? It includes significant theoretical chapters on gender, class and sexuality, challenges to holism, occupational literacy, and a discussion of political competence. This book will be of particular use for students exploring community and emerging role settings, client centred practice, occupational and social justice and the theoretical base of the profession. From an editorial team that is widely recognized for their challenges to traditional thought and practice in occupational therapy, this book will be of value not just to occupational therapists but also those employed in health profession management and development, and community based rehabilitation.

This book is a succinct and practical guide for students and practitioners applying occupational therapy models in the field. It provides an overview of the common models in practice and bridges the gap between theoretical texts on conceptual models and the immediate demands of practice. It describes occupational therapists' use of models within the realities of practice in a variety of contexts and takes the approach that practice models can be used as tools to guide clinical reasoning. - Provides an in-depth overview of 9 different models which can easily be compared and contrasted - Highlights the vital relationship between clinical reasoning and the practical use of models - Includes tools such as clinical reasoning memory aids, diagrams and major references - Presents models in the context of their culturally and historically situated development - Written by internationally renowned occupational therapists who are well experienced in applying models to practice

The activities in this book tap into what kids love best--play. The 50 sensorimotor activities provide fun, easy, and imaginative exercises to build a child's skills that are necessary for meeting the challenges of everyday life at home, school, and out in the community.

Occupational therapist, Barbara Smith shared her creative fine-motor strategies in her groundbreaking book- "From Rattles to Writing: A Parent's Guide to Hand Skills". Now her new book- "From Flapping to Function: A Parent's Guide to Autism and Hand Skills" will help children and adults of all ages and ability levels to reach their potential whether at home, school or in the community. This valuable resource explains how and why many children with autism do not use their hands in a functional manner. Flapping the hands and lining up small items often replace natural fine motor experiences that are important for the development of hand skills. Smith not only offers practical strategies to encourage children with autism to use their hands for functional tasks, she provides information and techniques to promote improved sensory processing, the development of visual skills, and much more. Here is what you will learn from reading this book. -How do I reinforce positive behavior? -What is a strategy that I can use to get my child to make eye contact with others? -How do I get my child to cross midline or use both hands together? -What is a visual schedule? -How do sensory processing challenges impact development? -What are some effective strategies to promote writing skills? -How can computer apps be used as teaching tools? Written in parent friendly language and packed with relatable vignettes, readers will learn how to quickly, easily and inexpensively adapt activities and use effective teaching strategies. Other features in this book include an extensive glossary, resources, and activity photos. "From Flapping to Function" is also an excellent guide for therapists, educators and others who want to understand the impact of autism spectrum disorders on hand function and effectively help children to reach their learning potentials and independence to perform everyday activities .

This book is a comprehensive textbook for occupational therapy students and occupational therapists working in the field of mental health. It presents different theories and approaches, outlines the occupational therapy process, discusses the context of practice and describes a wide range of techniques used by occupational therapists. These include physical activity, cognitive approaches, group work, creative activities, play and life skills. The book covers all areas of practice in the field, including mental health promotion, acute psychiatry, community work, severe and enduring mental illness, working with older people, child and adolescent mental health, forensic occupational therapy, substance misuse and working with people on the margins of society. The theory chapters are written by occupational therapists who are recognised experts in their fields and the applied chapters are written by practitioners. An innovation in this edition is the inclusion of commentaries by service users on some of the chapters. This fourth edition has been extensively revised and updated. The new structure reflects changes in service delivery and includes sections on: philosophy and theory base the occupational therapy process ensuring quality the context of occupational therapy occupations client groups. Important new areas that are covered include mental health promotion, evidence-based practice, community development and continuing professional development. Addresses the needs of the undergraduate course - covers all the student needs for this subject area in one volume. Links between theory and practice are reinforced throughout Written by a team of experienced OT teachers and practitioners Comprehensive - covers theory, skills and applications as well as management The clear structure with the division of chapters into six distinct sections makes it easy to learn and revise from as well as easy to refer to for quick reference in the clinical situation. Provides key reading and reference lists to encourage and facilitate more in-depth study on any aspect. It is written in a style that is easy to read and understand; yet there is enough depth to take students through to their final year of education. Chapters on the application of occupational therapy are written by practising clinicians, so they are up-to-date and realistic. For qualified occupational therapists, the book includes a review of current theories and approaches to practice, with references so that they can follow up topics of particualr interest. Suitable for BSc and BSc (Hons) occupational therapy courses.