OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY: CONTRIBUTION OF A SPECIFIC DYNAMIC IN THE ASSESSMENT OF PEOPLE WITH BRAIN INJURY

Abstract

The occupational therapist is a healthcare professional
who works with people with disabilities. His/her purpose
is to help them maintain or develop their independence
and autonomy, in their own environment, at all levels
(personal, social, school, professional…). The occupational therapist is part of a multidisciplinary team (doctors, neuropsychologists, speech therapists, physiotherapists) and uses specific tools to assess people, their needs,
their lifestyle and their environment.
The occupational therapist’s intervention with people
with brain injury is of interest. His/her ability to assess
people in real (ecological) situation, gives an additional
dimension to the assessment of neuropsychological disorders. Only the combined analysis of the multidisciplinary
assessments can correctly identify those disorders which
contribute to invisible disability.