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Occupational therapy's role is to promote and support development within any context that is meaningful to the child/youth. Through providing adaptations, modifications, and assistive devices creates an inclusive environment in order for the child/youth to engage actively in meaningful occupations (AOTA, 2015). In the home setting therapists assist with a variety of skills to increase independence while educating and training parents on routine-based strategies (AOTA, 2015). Within the school setting OT works within an interdisciplinary team to provide accommodations and adaptations to increase engagement within the classroom setting (AOTA, 2015).

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1. Adaptive keyboards

2. Gate trainer

3. Stander

4. 0 gravity wheelchair

5.  Assistive talking device

6. Adaptive switches

7. Eye-gaze

8. Assistive robots

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1. Pencil grips

2. Universal cuff

3. Guided reading strips

4. Timers

5. Visual schedules

6. Sensory seats

7. PECs

8. Fidget toys

9. Theraband on the legs of the chair

10. Changing in lighting

11. Highlighters

12. Noise-reducing headphones

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1. Click here for adaptive paper

2. Click here for adaptive seating

3. Click here for AOTA for a research article on adaptive equipment for the school setting

References:
AOTA. (2015). Inclusion of children with disabilities. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/Practice/Children/Inclusion-of-Children-With-Disabilities-20150128.pdf

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Assistive Technology Devices In Action For People With Disabilities

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Occupational therapy provides services to the older adult population to enable safe, functional, and independent living (AOTA, 2022). OT aims to promote high activity levels in activities that are meaningful to their client (AOTA, 2022). OT focuses on exercise programs that improve IADL performance and improve mobility (AOTA, 2022). OT can provide interventions that work on fall reduction/prevention and encourage home modifications (AOTA, 2022). Specific areas where OT can be found intervening in older adult driving with regards to physical retraining, cognitive-perceptual training, using standardized driver simulation training, and driving cessation support groups (AOTA, 2022). Furthermore, OT addresses health management, low vision, diseases and disorders like Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, and other disorders alike that can cause dysfunction in occupations (AOTA, 2022).

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1. Assistive medical call devices

2. Hearing aids

3. Uplift seating device

4. Chair lifts

5. Voice command devices

6. Video doorbell

7. Monitoring devices

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1. Adaptive eating/cooking utensils

2. Larger print reading materials

3. Medication organizer

4. Cane and/or walker

5. Bathroom handles

6. Non-slip mats

7. Universal built-up grasps for tools like knitting, crocheting, cooking, key chain, etc.

8. Buttoning aid hook

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Click here for a website that guides you through different "must haves" for older adults living at home.
Click here for the AOTA research article about the factors affecting older adults and the use of adaptive equipment.

Reference:
AOTA. (2022). Evidence supports the distinct value of occupational therapy for older adults.American Journal of Occupational Therapy. https://www.aota.org/-/media/corporate/files/aboutot/professionals/whatisot/pa/older-adults-ebp-summary.pdfe

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OT has an extensive history of working in mental health (AOTA, 2016). Mental health is a part of the entire lifespan of every person and can be found in any practice area and population (AOTA, 2016).  OT works on the promotion, prevention, and intervention of mental health and illness (AOTA, 2016).  Mental illness negatively impacts social skills, problem-solving skills, personal hygiene, ADLs and IADLs, school, work, and other roles  (AOTA, 2016). OT provides a holistic approach to promoting healthy engagement in those occupations. Interventions can include community integration, supported employment, motivation intervention, social skill building, education and coaching, and mental health literacy  (AOTA, 2016). OT uses a skilled understanding of assessments to gather information on what the needs of clients are and to work on meeting those needs through a mental health approach  (AOTA, 2016).

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1. Meditation apps

2. Memory apps

3. Noise cancelling headphones and brown noise headphones

4. Mood/behavior trackers

5. Breathing/ pulse/ blood pressure trackers

6. Virtual reality

7. Support group apps

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1. Stress balls

2. Journals

3. Vision boards

4. Weighted modalities

5. Heating pad stuffed animals

6. Night-lights

7. Compression wear/sheets

8. Art supplies

9. Visual reminders for positive self-talk

10. Pocket stones

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Click here for a website that provides examples of apps, accommodation, and assistive technology devices to assist with symptoms of depression

Click here for a webinar about assistive technology serving individuals with severe mental illness

Reference:
AOTA. (2016). Occupational therapy's distinct value: Mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention across the lifespan. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. https://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/Practice/MentalHealth/Distinct-Value-Mental-Health.pdf

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OT works with individuals with physical dysfunction due to a variety of dysfunctions (UMHS, 2022). Rehabilitation and disability are part of the center of our scope of practice and OT engages in extensive assessments, intervention, and carry-over throughout the rehabilitation process  (UMHS, 2022). OT can assist in adapting and modifying different environments, tasks, and tools to promote active engagement in all meaningful contexts (UMHS, 2022).  Facilitating movement programs, memory programs, and working hardening programs (UMHS, 2022).  Specific conditions that OT could be exposed to include musculoskeletal issues, neurological issues, spinal cord injuries, cancer, amputations, burns, falls, and lymphedema  (UMHS, 2022).  OT will focus interventions on improving upper extremity use/strength, hand function, vision, cognition, community reintegration, and mobility  (UMHS, 2022).

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1. Prosthetics

2.  Motorized wheelchairs

3. Self-driving cars

4. Voice recognition software

5. Mind mapping software

6. Health and fitness trackers

7. Lift chairs

8. Stairlift

9. Assistive listening devices

10. Amplified phone equipment

11. Speech generating devices

12. Adaptive sports equipment

13. Adaptive toys

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1. Memory aids

2. Communication boards

3. Ramps

4. Canes

5. Crutches

6. Long straw

7. Non-skid Bowl

8. Splints

9. Universal cuffs

10. Plate guard

11. Scoop dish

12. Toilet aids

13. Commodes

14. Transfer board

15. Grab bars

16. Wash mitt

17. Shower chair

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1.  Click Here to be brought to a website that can be used as a resource for adaptive equipment. It offers low and high-tech options!

2. Click here for AOTA's involvement in assistive technology and rehabilitation

Reference:
University of Michigan Health. (2022). Occupational therapy in rehabilitation medicine. https://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/rehabilitation/occupational-therapy-rehab

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Rikky Regains Strength After Stroke Through Assistive Technology

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OT provides clients with the tools, motivation, and adaptations to engage in meaningful activities OT strives to help facilitate and maintain these skills in a healthy and productive manner to improve the health and well-being of each client that is specific to them (AOTA, 2015). OT will assist in managing pain, health conditions, and disease to maximize the quality of life and decrease hospitalization through holistic and client-centered interventions (AOTA, 2015). Roles, habits, routines, environment, and meaningful occupations are all addressed and a part of the process of connecting success with skills (AOTA, 2015). Health and wellness focus on nutrition, pain, physical and mental health, and overall engagement in meaningful occupations as well as social interactions (AOTA, 2015). Interventions are personalized to each client's needs, deficits, and strengths and will continue to be personalized throughout the entirety of the intervention process (AOTA, 2015).

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1. Apple Watch/ Fitbit

2. Apps to help with medication management

3. Apps to track menstruation cycle

4. Suger level, blood pressure, heart rate readers

5. Virtual reality game sets

6. Tablets

7. Online chat rooms

8. Adaptive vibrators for grip  for sexual health

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1. Nutritional fact sheets and journal

2. Calendar with activities printed on it

3. Schedule reminders

4.  Water bottle with measurements on it

5. Motivation cards/visuals

6.  Wedges for sexual health

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1. Click here for a website that provides facts about assistive technology and the positive impact it has on health and well-being, in addition to statistics, challenges, and recommendations.

2. Click here  for AOTA's recommendations for health and wellness

3. Click here for AOTA role and interventions including adaptive equipment for sexual health

4.  Click here for adaptive vibrators for individuals with arthritis

Reference:
AOTA. (2015). Fact sheet: occupational therapy's role with health promotion. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. https://www.aota.org/~/media/corporate/files/aboutot/professionals/whatisot/hw/facts/factsheet_healthpromotion.pdf

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Easterseals Iowa - Assistive Technology Program

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Assistive Technology for Health and Wellness

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OT helps to facilitate a positive, safe, and healthy workplace (AOTA, 2017). This involves work rehabilitation and engaging in functional and appropriate ergonomics (AOTA, 2017). Work rehabilitation uses interventions that promote active participation in work and increase satisfaction with the working role  (AOTA, 2017). OT will work with individuals following injuries or illness, support a safe return to work, prevention of reinjury through education, and build self-confidence through remediation of the working role (AOTA, 2017). OT has a deep understanding of physical health and body positioning (AOTA, 2017). Furthermore, OT takes that understanding to a higher level than other professions because OT looks at the person as a whole which includes their interactions with their environment (AOTA, 2017). Educating and adapting environments to promote safe and high quality is the result of proper body ergonomics in the workplace (AOTA, 2017).

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1. Spinner steering devices mounted on the steering wheel

2. Robotic devices

3. Ergonomic keyboards

4. Screen readers

5. Screen magnifiers

6. Microphone headsets

7. Battery-operated mechanical lifts

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1. Slip-resistant gloves and grasping tools

2. Screen clips

3. Adapted lighting

4. Blue light glasses

5. Lumbar supported chair

6. Visual break reminders

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1. Click here for assistive technology devices and tools to assist employees with disabilities.

2. Click here for virtual work environments

3. Click here for AOTA fact sheet on ergonomics

Reference:
AOTA. (2017). Occupational therapy services in facilitaing work participation and performance. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 7(2)https://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/WI/Facts/Work-rehab.pdf

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The professionals of OT have the duty to provide advocacy for clients and the profession itself (Stover, 2016). OT has made the commitment to the community that the profession would support and enable clients to live their very best life as independently and as functional as possible (Stover, 2016). OT does this by using up-to-date, high-quality evidence-based research while providing services to each and every client (Stover, 2016). OT is required to be competent in laws and regulations affecting clients and services that are provided (Stover, 2016). OT is a creative therapy that is often thinking outside of the box when providing tools and adaptations to each client (Stover, 2016). Continued research and advocacy specifically when selecting and providing adaptive tools to clients is essential. OT is required to provide evidence for medical necessity when advocating for specialized adaptive equipment, so it is vital to stay updated and provide appropriate and reliable research when advocating for every client.

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1. Adaptive wheelchairs

2. Eye gaze for communication and task completion

3. Interacting canes for people who are blind

4. Combination devices

5. Prosthetics

6. Auditory software and devices

7. Virtual reality devices

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1. Sensory-integration tools

2. Writing and reading devices

3. Adaptive seating

4. Adaptive crawlers

5. Adaptive toys

6. Strengthening modalities like thera-putty

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1. Click here for an interesting research article about the perception and understanding occupational therapy has on assistive technology

2. Click here for the latest news and inventions regarding assistive technology in 2022.

3. Click here for how to advocate - AOTA

Reference:
Stover, D. A. (2016). Client-centered advocacy: every occupational therapy practitioner's responsibility to understand the medical necessity. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 70(5). 7005090010p2