Muhammad Ali was a famous boxer diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD) at the age of 41. Up until his diagnosis, not much was known about PD. But thanks to his previous fame and philanthropy involvement in raising awareness and money for PD, this disease has received a lot of attention and research in treatment options. As an OT, the focus should primarily be on promoting occupational performance in areas of interest such as public speaking and traveling. Education on managing a schedule and medication should be taught not only to Ali but also to his caregiver. Big and Loud treatment for Parkinson's Disease is a therapeutic measure that integrates the profession of OT, PT and SLP in an attempt to promote health throughout the body. Thanks to the tireless work of Ali, awareness of PD is growing in the public.
The beautiful thing about occupational therapy as a profession is its adaptability. It thrives in an environment that is multi-dimensional where the profession morphs according to the client. "Client-centered" and "top-down approach" are all key terms when describing OT. Instead of being a rigid process with little adaptation, the profession molds into the best fit for each specific client. Occupational therapists are more than just practitioners. In a way, OTs are detectives, teachers, and companions. One theory that capitalizes on the adaptability of OT is Frame of Reference (FoR). FoR implements the strengths of OT by allowing the practitioner's roles to adapt to each individual client. Using the client's FoR aids the therapist to develop an intervention that best suites his specific needs. This is where solving mysteries and applying reasoning to the situation is useful. Deducing the client's motivations and context are key in the deve...
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