Brain injury can have devastating effects on the health of traumatic brain injury victims, but those who have not experienced the ravages of brain damage are often unaware of one of its biggest casualties: everyday life. Brain injury can hinder social and family life, hurt an individual's ability to participate in the workforce and affect their financial stability, and impair the victim's ability to take care of himself or herself and live independently. However, many brain injury patients find hope through occupational therapy (OT), treatment that helps TBI victims develop essential life skills and regain a sense of independence.

Occupational Therapy and Traumatic Brain Injury

Simply put, occupational therapy is any treatment oriented towards helping a brain-injured patient regain essential skills. In this case, "occupation" is not related to the workplace, though occupational therapists can often help patients return to work; rather, "occupation" is broadly defined as any activity of daily life. A brain-damaged patient's inability to participate actively in their own lives and perform routine activities of daily living forms a basis for the treatment known as occupational therapy.

Occupational therapists undergo extensive training and education to prepare them for their broad role in helping improve the lives of brain-injured patients and those suffering from other life-changing injuries. Occupational therapists in the United States complete rigorous requirements in a school program certified by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education and usually have attained either a Master's degree (M.A.) or doctorate (Ph.D) in occupational therapy. Therapists must be certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and often pursue membership in a professional association such as The American Occupational Therapy Association. Occupational therapists may go into private practice, but are often employed by health care facilities, social services programs, non-profits, school and/or rehab centers.

Occupational therapists begin their work with a brain-injured or brain-damaged patient by assessing his or her ability to perform routine daily activities. They may perform tests or ask question to assess a patient's cognitive skills, home environment, and support system. Then the therapist develops a plan to help the patient cope with his or her abilities, adapt existing tools to better suit the patient's ability level, and help make the home environment and workplace more supportive and safe for brain injury victims.

An occupational therapist can be particularly helpful to a victim of TBI by providing memory tools and reducing confusion in environments which may not have overwhelmed the patient before the traumatic brain injury. By establishing useful routines and rallying the support system and tools available to the patient, the occupational therapist can enhance independence and help a patient relearn daily activities that contribute to a greater quality of life. There are as many occupational therapies as there are brain injury patients; in short, a personalized plan is likely to produce the best results in a victim of traumatic brain injury.

Friends and family of a TBI victim can also benefit from the involvement of an occupational therapist in a patient's treatment plan. The therapist can help them become more aware and supportive of their family member's position, contributing to the overall well-being of a family that may have felt the collective effects of the plight of one of its members. The involvement of an occupational therapist often spells out hope for brain injury victims' families and the victims themselves.

If You Suffer from Traumatic Brain Injury

If you have been affected by traumatic brain injury, you may qualify for compensation that will help pay for services such as occcupational therapy as you rehabilitate from your traumatic brain injury. Speak with an experienced brain injury lawyer for more information on filing your TBI claim.