"My clients probably know more about neuroplasticity and grading activities than many OT's!"
That brings to mind Ron's thread about teaching COTA's. A very powerful teaching approach is to help students empathize with the plight of those with disease and disability. I heard there are glasses that can be worn that mimic neglect? Is that true? I remember the Vaseline on the glasses to mimic cataracts and clothes pins on fingers to mimic the pain of arthritis. -----Original Message----- From: otlist-boun...@otnow.com [mailto:otlist-boun...@otnow.com]on Behalf Of Angela King (ADHB) Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2009 16:56 To: otlist@otnow.com Subject: Re: [OTlist] OTlist Digest, Vol 74, Issue 1 On this whole issue of the neglect thing I have a couple more things to add, because like Ron I have an opinion on just about everything (except the whole UE thing!!). Ron I understand where you are coming from in that neglect can be difficult to improve but in most clients some degree of improvement does occur. Yes a lot of that is down to spontaneous recovery but most of what improves post stroke is down to spontaneous recovery and it is our job as therapists to provide the correct stimulation to the brain during this time when it is trying to fix itself. If we neglect the neglect when the brain is geared up to heal then we are not maximising the improvements that can be made. Well that's what I tell myself anyway! Things like arranging the room so that a person must attend to that side is quick and easy and if it gives them 2% improvement that is a start. The significant other side of this is the education and compensation side of things. I have had clients with very bad neglect who through intensive training have learned to compensate for their neglect. I personally think that education is one of the best things we can do for our clients. I try and train my stroke clients to know what I know so that when they leave me they can be their own therapist. My clients probably know more about neuroplasticity and grading activities than many OT's! That way they can continue to improve if they are motivated to. I have an ex-client with a shocking neglect who uses a power wheelchair for mobility. She does crash into doorways occasionally when distracted but for the most part she is ok and has the freedom to get herself around (inside anyway)- all down to compensation. So even if someone months post stroke has an awful neglect and are not making spontaneous recovery I'd be teaching them how to compensate for it in daily life, because that is what we as OT's do! We don't give up on people with paraplegia because they don't walk again. Haha my opinion yet again. Angela King NZROT, Assessor Outpatients, Directions Appraisal Team - REHAB PLUS 54 Carrington Road Pt Chevalier, Auckland Auckland District Health Board ############################################################################ ######### Scanned by MailMarshal - Marshal8e6's comprehensive email content security solution. Download a free evaluation of MailMarshal at www.marshal.com ############################################################################ ######### -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com
