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Archive for category: Solutions For Living

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New Ontario Autism Program – Did the Government Get it Wrong?

According to Autism Speaks, Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys. The 2012 numbers reflect a 78% increase in reported prevalence in the last 6 years.  This is a growing problem, impacting more and more families each year.

With growing numbers of affected children, wait times in Ontario for assessment and treatment have increased to an unacceptable level.  Recently, the Ontario Government made changes to its policy on Autism care in hopes to reduce wait times for those families seeking assistance.  While these changes may be beneficial for children aged 2-4 seeking diagnosis and treatment, those 5 and older will no longer be eligible for government funded Intensive Behavioural Intervention services, even if they have been on a wait list for years.

Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) is the application of the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) in an intensive, highly structured format. It is a comprehensive approach that is used to teach a broad range of skills, such as communication, socialization, self-help, pre-academics, and play.   All IBI programs are individualized to the strengths and needs of each child and therapy decisions are based on a comprehensive review of program data. The goal of IBI is to help young children with Autism catch up developmentally to their peers. This means that IBI aims to increase the rate of a child’s learning, to bring their skills closer to those of typically-developing children, to decrease their symptoms, and to prepare them for an appropriate school setting.

The government will be providing a one-time payment of $8000 to families with children 5 and over, however, it is only a drop in the bucket for the amount of money required for this type of vital treatment.

The following from CTV News shows the frustration and abandonment families with Autistic children 5 and over are feeling:

How can you stand up for the rights of the affected families?  Let the Ontario Government know that they have gotten it wrong by signing the petition to Oppose the new Ontario Autism Program’s elimination of IBI eligibility for Children over 5.

To learn more about the changes and how you may be affected please visit the Ontario Autism Program website.

And please, tell us what you think:  did the government get it wrong?

 

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The Benefits of OT For Parkinson’s Disease

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month.  Occupational Therapists help to provide creative and proactive strategies for managing well at home and in the community for a variety of illnesses and disabilities, including Parkinson’s Disease.  The following from The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation discusses some of the many benefits Occupational Therapy provides for those living with Parkinson’s Disease.

The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation:  Occupational Therapy Can Benefit People with Parkinson’s Disease

To learn more about Occupational Thearpy and Parkinson’s Disease check out our blog:  My Grandma Versus Parkinson’s Disease

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Tax Time: Is OT An Eligible Expense?

April means tax time in Canada!  Many, especially those with disability, chronic illness or advancing age, often pay a great deal in out-of-pocket medical expenses each year.  While these expenses can add up, the good news is that many can give you a break on your income tax.  The following from The Globe and Mail provides a list of 10 medical expenses you may not have realized are deductible.  And YES, Occupational Therapy is one of them!  

The Globe and Mail:  These ten medical expenses could give you a tax break

 

For more help with money management check out our recent post:  Money Matters:  Occupational Therapy and Disability Finance

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Pre-Peeled Oranges: Think Before You Judge

Recent chatter on the web has pointed a finger at pre-sliced, pre-packaged foods such as apple or orange slices – deeming these as lazy, unnecessary and wasteful.  However, for many people living with illness or disability, these items are extremely helpful and necessary.  Check out the following from NPR to learn more about how prepared fresh foods, such as pre-peeled oranges, can make a difference in the lives of many.

NPR:  Pre-Peeled Oranges: What Some Call ‘Lazy’ Others Call A ‘Lifesaver’

Photo Care of:  worldofvegan.com

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The Role of OT in Suicide Prevention

Sometimes occupational deprivation, as a result of illness or injury, can be a catalyst for suicidal thoughts, or even actions. While this may be a heavy topic, we’re here to talk about how Occupational Therapists can make a positive difference in the lives of people who are struggling with thoughts of suicide.

The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention reports that 1 out of every 10 Canadians experience thoughts of suicide at some point in their lives. Occupational Therapists work with people who have experienced a loss of ability to complete everyday life tasks. When a person can no longer work, care for their children, or even go to the bathroom independently, it is easy to understand how thoughts of suicide can seem like an option. The good news is that Occupational Therapists are in the perfect role for addressing these types of situations, and inspiring positive outcomes.

When people have experienced a sudden disability onset like in a motor vehicle accident, we often hear statements like:

·        “I can’t do anything anymore”

·        “This isn’t how it was supposed to be”

·        “I’m missing out”

·        “I’m lost”

·        “I don’t know what to do”

The common thread in all of these statements is that people feel hopeless, and are experiencing occupational deprivation. Occupational deprivation is when a person feels that they can’t participate in meaningful activities due to factors beyond their control.  If this feeling gets strong enough, some people begin to feel that they may be better off ending their lives.  Occupational Therapists are skilled at enabling occupation, so it is easy to see how OT’s  play an integral role in addressing suicide.

One strategy proposed by Kim Hewitt, a leading OT in suicide prevention, is to ask the following question:  “Do you want to die, or do you not want to live like this anymore?

This question fosters hope in people who are struggling, and it also leads to action; if a person does not want to live like this anymore, they simply need help to make some changes in their lives.  Occupational Therapists can then use their skills in occupational engagement to bring hope into the suicide discussion, and to try to address some of the negative thoughts and emotions the person is feeling.

Remember that occupations are defined not just as paid jobs, but also as things we do that occupy our time.  Occupations can include cooking a meal, going to the bank, or reading a book.  Occupational Therapists therefore give people solutions for living, so that they have all the skills and tools necessary to re-engage in these meaningful life activities. This type of therapy takes time, and sometimes trial and error, but in the end it can help people get back to feeling like themselves again.  These positive feelings can help to combat thoughts of suicide.

Not everyone has training in suicide prevention, but it is a responsibility we all share; someone may approach you about it whether you’re ready or not.  Here are some basic strategies to consider if someone brings up suicide with you:

  • If a person discloses thoughts of suicide to you, they want help, or else they wouldn’t have talked to you about it. This is a compliment – don’t be afraid.
  • Listen to what the person is telling you. Don’t try to relate, or offer false promises like “you’ll feel better tomorrow.” Just listen to them.
  • It’s okay if you don’t know what to do at first. You can tell the person that you want to help because you care about them, but you’re not sure how. Offer to stay with them, call a crisis line with them, or call 911 for professional assistance.
  • Remember this is a medical emergency, just like a heart attack or loss of consciousness – you need to do something.

Our motto at Entwistle Power Occupational Therapy is hope, empower, succeed, and I can’t think of any better population this applies to than people struggling with mental illness and suicidal thoughts.

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Think Before You Speak

Have you ever been in that uncomfortable place of wondering what to say to someone with a disability?  That cognitive and emotional process of wanting to offer support, but not wanting to offend?  Or worrying about offending by offering support?  Or worrying about offending by not offering support?  It can be a conundrum.  Check out the following from SCI Ontario that discusses disability word choices.  And take a look at our previous post:  “Mind Your Mouth—The Language of Disability” for even more tips.

SCI Ontario:  The Quick and Dirty on Disability Word Choices

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Occupational Therapy and Cancer Recovery

Julie Entwistle, MBA, BHSc (OT), BSc (Health / Gerontology)

When my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was required to have a mastectomy.  Feeling helpless but wanting to support her, I sent her a list of the things we could do together pre-surgery.  This included anything from loading up an iPod with her favorite tunes and stand-up comedic acts, sorting my ridiculous stack of family photos, scrapbooking, and of course some retail and spa therapy.  I figured the less time she spent just waiting for surgery, thinking and processing what was to come, the less this diagnosis would impact her now and into the future.  She responded to my ideas with something along the lines of “you should help people through tough times for a living” and I reminded her that my job as an OT allowed me to do just that.

The yellow daffodils in April signify that this is the month of Cancer Awareness.  Defined, the word “Cancer” is a blanket term used to describe the abnormal growth of cells in any part of the body.  There are more than 100 types of cancer, which may affect specific tissues, organs, blood, or lymphatic systems. Cancer remains the leading cause of death in Canada, responsible for about 30% of all deaths in our country.  Many of us have been affected by cancer, either personally, through friends or a loved one. My mom is only one example of how cancer has affected my family, and sadly I have countless other stories of friends and colleagues who have also been impacted.

Cancer and cancer treatment can lead to changes in how we do our daily activities due to physical, cognitive or emotional changes resulting from the diagnosis, resulting surgery, medications, chemo and radiation. For a cancer patient sometimes just doing daily activities leaves little energy for leisure, social, or work-related tasks.  Common side effects of cancer or its treatment include fatigue, pain, weakness, cognitive difficulties, anxiety or depression, and changes in self-esteem or self-image. Each person diagnosed with cancer will experience different challenges in his or her participation in various daily activities and life roles over the course of the disease.

Occupational therapists have knowledge and expertise to allow individuals with cancer to do the things they want and need to do to maintain their level of independence and quality of life. Occupational therapy services are helpful for individuals throughout the continuum of cancer care, including those who are newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment, receiving hospice or palliative care, or who are survivors reintegrating into previous roles. Caregivers also benefit from the training and education provided by OT’s as this arms them with the essential tools to offer support and assistance to their loved ones when performing daily, important, and meaningful activities. Some of the things occupational therapists can help with include:

  • Education on management of activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing and dressing through adaptations to the activity and environment, and/or the use of assistive devices.
  • Sleep and fatigue management such as education in and demonstration of energy conservation and relaxation management techniques to support health and the ability to participate in purposeful roles.
  • Cognitive strategies to address memory, organizational executive function deficits, and low-energy tasks that focus on restoring engagement in daily occupations such as sitting in the park, reading a newspaper, or conversing with a friend.
  • Therapeutic exercise and positioning to maintain functional range of motion, mobility, and strength such as home exercise programs, splinting, wheelchair fitting, bed positioning, etc. to provide support and comfort.
  • Mental health treatment to encourage the return to life roles that will help increase mood, reduce depression, restore hope, and lessen anxiety.

Other roles for occupational therapy also include return to work involvement post-treatment, education on general health issues, and training on use of a prosthetic if an amputation was required.  Some therapists are also specifically trained to provide lymphatic drainage to reduce the swelling and pain that can result from the disease, its’ surgery or treatment.

So, for the month of April let’s honor those fighting and remember those that fought.  Buy some daffodils, donate, wear a ribbon, or call or visit with someone you know that has been impacted by this prevalent disease.

References

American Association of Occupational Therapists (2011).

Canadian Cancer Society (2013).

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The Handicapped Parking Police

Julie Entwistle, MBA, BHSc (OT), BSc (Health / Gerontology)

One of my former clients was a teenager when he broke his neck falling out of a truck.  As a result, he was required to use a wheelchair for all mobility.  One day I arrived and he was wearing a t-shirt that said “I am in it for the parking”.

We are all aware of handicap parking spots.  These wider spots are conveniently located at the front of a parking lot, near an entrance to the building, close to a sidewalk with a curb cut, and are typically marked with bright yellow and blue paint or a sign reminding you the spot has special use.

In the news this week I read two very different stories about these parking spaces:

The first  was about a woman who parked in a handicap spot to enter Tim Horton’s.  When she returned to her vehicle she was confronted by a man about her choice of parking spot.  In the altercation she threw her coffee at him.  He recorded the interaction and posted the video online and it went viral – over a million views in a few days.   See the full story here.

The second describes the challenges a young woman frequently faces when using her handicap permit.  Recently she returned to her vehicle to find a note saying “stupidity is not a disability” and has had other similar messages left on her car in the past.  Yet in her case she has a condition that justifies her use of the pass, but the condition is not one that other people can see and thus understand.   See the full story here.

As an occupational therapist that is frequently requested to complete Accessible Parking Permit Applications, let me explain how this works.  To receive a permit, you must complete a Service Ontario application and this needs to be signed by a physician, occupational therapist, nurse, physiotherapist, chiropractor or chiropodist.  The form outlines the types of disabilities that qualify including those that cause mobility, breathing or cardiac impairments, or poor vision.  As some people with significant ailments like these can’t drive, they can still get a permit to be used as a “passenger”.  The professional signing the form is asked to indicate if the condition is “permanent”, “subject to change” or “temporary”.  This allows professionals to indicate that someone with a leg fracture, for example, may only need the pass for three months, or that is it “subject to change” if they have a condition that is likely to improve.  If you are curious about this form, and how it works, you can access it here.

So what happens when you don’t have a permit and you park in a handicap spot?  First of all, in the absence of an urgent situation, you are a jerk.  If caught, the fine is steep at $450.00.  In one article, The Toronto Star reported that the City had issued over 5,000 tickets since 2005 for one particular handicapped spot, totalling $1.9M.  Second, you may be subject to comments, ridicule or confrontation by others who judge you harshly for what most would consider an ignorant decision.  Third, you have just made life a little bit harder for someone that could use a break.  These spots are designed to reduce the physical risk of prolonged walking for people that might not be able to walk far, that might struggle to manage a wheelchair or walker over uneven terrain or a curb, or for those that are at risk of injury or falls when walking outdoors.  For people that struggle to leave the house and have difficulty managing in the community, being able to park close to a store may mean the difference between going out or not.  Your ignorance may reduce their confidence to venture out again.  Shame on you.

And what about the opposite?  What happens when you judge and ridicule someone that has a permit when you, apparently an expert in disability, feels that this is not required?  You are still being a jerk.  Not only are you making someone who already struggles to feel worse about their condition, but you are also passing judgement on the process that is in place to qualify people, including the professional that decided they met the criteria in the first place.  While I can appreciate that some people may feel they are being helpful to “police” these spots, it is important to trust the process and to respect that people may have these permits for reasons that are unseen.  Instead of taking your time to write a degrading note, perhaps consider two other options:

1.      Say nothing, do nothing, and don’t react emotionally.  The situation is none of your business.  If they stole their grandmother’s parking permit to try and skirt the drive-thru, well Karma is a bitch.

2.      Have compassion.  If someone went through the process of getting a pass, then they need it and have struggles that you don’t understand.

Have I ever turned down an application for a parking pass?  Yes, because someone didn’t qualify.  I trust my colleagues also do the same.  And no, my experience is that people with mobility, vision, breathing or heart problems are not “in it for the parking”.

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Laughter Is The Best Medicine!

Tomorrow is April 1st and you know what that means–  April Fools!  April Fools day is a day for pranks, jokes and laughter.  It may also be one of the healthiest days of the year as laughter is often felt to be “the best medicine.”  Check out the following from The Huffington Post which discusses the health benefits of laughter.   Make sure to have some fun and create some laughs today!

The Huffington Post:  Why Laughing Is Good For Your Health

 

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Occupational Therapy and Autism

According to Autism Speaks, Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys. The 2012 numbers reflect a 78% increase in reported prevalence in the last 6 years.  This is a growing problem, impacting more and more families each year.

Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that the signs, symptoms and severity can vary, making this difficult to diagnose and sometimes treat.  Yet through therapy, children with Autism can learn to function and communicate as independently as possible at home, school and with their peers.  The following from WebMD discusses the vital role Occupational Therapy plays in helping those with Autism.

This Saturday, April 2nd, is World Autism Day.  Take the pledge to Light it Up Blue for Autism.

WebMD:  Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Autism