Bermuda Parent Bermuda Parent Spring 2019

Family LIFE Pediatric OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY??? BY JILL DAVIDSON But, My Baby Doesn’t Need a Job! O ne of the most challenging tasks as an Occupational Therapist is explaining to others what I do. Am I a job coach? A guidance counsellor? Honestly, some- times both can be part of my job in that “occupation” refers to everything you do in your day -- from getting out of bed… dressing… eating breakfast …getting to school or job site…completing your work…to participating in leisure activi- ties. If an injury or disability is preventing you from fully doing the things you need or want to do, then an Occupational Therapist may be appropriate. • - Providing Early Intervention with children under 4 years of age, - Offering School Support for students, and - Supporting adults in the com- munity to live independently in their homes through Com- munity Health. • 6 BERMUDA PARENT MAGAZINE Windreach Recreational Village – providing group and individual support, life skills training, adap- tive sports • What and Where According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), occupa- tional therapy (OT) is a “science-driven, evidence-based profession that enables people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health and prevent-or live better with-illness, injury or disability”. Occupational therapists work with all ages and in a wide variety of settings. In Bermuda, you will find Occu- pational Therapists at: • King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) - working with stroke or hip replace- ment patients, or with premature babies up in the Neonatal ICU. • Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute - assist- ing both inpatient and community clients with mental health issues. Dept. of Health • • Action on Alzheimer’s & Dementia – providing functional & home assessments, dementia care training & support to families Medical House – providing home equipment prescriptions Private Practices including focus on: - Pediatrics - Specialized Hand Therapy - Driving Assessments - Seniors Care You may also find OTs on the staffs or on-call at Corrections facilities, Architectural firms (bar- rier-free designs), and businesses (ergonomics). I have dedicated most of my career to working with Bermuda’s children and their families - achiev- ing goals through play and fun. Your baby’s job Your baby or young child’s “occupation” is to get up every day and maneuver through life, to discover their expanding world and develop skills. Observations for Parents Do you feel: • Unsure of what to expect at the various stages of your child’s development? • Concerned about your child’s skills? • Overwhelmed? Need support? OT Tip: Ask for help! Find a supportive friend or a listening ear at work, church, your child’s school or a professional source. There are specific benchmarks within different age groups. Birth to 2 years Does your child: • Meet all their developmental milestones? • Have difficulty feeding – breast/ bottle/finger food? • Have difficulty sleeping? OT Tip: Although infants should always be positioned on their backs for sleep, supervised tummy time is important from Day 1 for hand, shoulder and neck development. Don’t wait. 3 – 5 years old Does your child: • Trip and fall frequently? • Appear fearful on playground equipment?

Bermuda Parent Bermuda Parent Spring 2019 | Page 8