An Occupational Therapist can help you Regain Control after a Stroke

A stroke is a serious condition that occurs when blood flow to part of your brain is cut off by blood clots or broken blood vessels. Strokes can cause significant impairment in language, cognition, and motor skills. Stroke rehabilitation frequently involves the services of several rehabilitation disciplines. The skills required depend on the nature of the patient’s neurological deficits, which can include, but are not limited to, physical, cognitive, emotional, as well as speech language disabilities, some of which can be treated by an occupational therapist or clinician.

Stroke rehabilitation frequently involves the services of several rehabilitation disciplines and consistent and fully documented assessment is required throughout the rehabilitation process. The typical stroke survivor receives care in multiple settings during the course of recovery. Stroke survivors and their families need to be fully informed and intimately involved in all rehabilitation decisions. The selection of rehabilitation setting and the determination of rehabilitation goals and interventions as well as the location for rehabilitation are all vital components to recovery.

Stroke rehabilitation should begin as soon as the diagnosis of stroke is established and all life threatening problems are under control. According to many studies, the organization of services and early rehabilitation and implementation are important components to recovery.Contemporary stroke rehabilitation programs focus on very specific bio-physiological targets to help with the recovery of a number of important life skills. The highly skilled pathologists at a speech language centre can help stroke victims to remaster important life skills. By consulting an expert for occupational therapy help in Toronto or any other city, you can find help for yourself or your loved one, through reliable service.

Speech Skills

Strokes are known to cause a language impairment called aphasia, and often times patients with this condition have trouble speaking in general or have specific language problems, such as errors in syntax or diction. Strokes can also prevent patients from speaking normally if they damage the muscles that control speech. Speech and language therapists like those at Simone Friedman SLS can help improve speech clarity and cohesion. If the damage is too severe, they can also teach patients other ways to communicate.

Cognitive Skills

Strokes can severely impair thinking and reasoning abilities, can lead to poor judgment, and have been known to cause memory problems. They can also cause problematic behavioral changes. Formerly outgoing and exuberant personalities can suddenly become sullen and withdrawn. In some cases, stroke survivors become more prone to risk-taking behaviors due to not fully comprehending the consequences of their actions or having fewer inhibitions.Since this can cause safety concerns, it’s important to work toward recovering these cognitive skills as soon as possible. Occupational therapists and speech and language therapists are able to help patients regain these abilities.

Motor Skills

Strokes can weaken the muscles on one side of your body and have been known to make it harder for your joints to move. This affects your physical coordination and can make walking or other physical activities much more difficult to accomplish. Physical therapists can help stroke victimsrediscover how to balance, control, and strengthen their muscles. They can also help control muscle spasms by teaching helpful stretching exercises.

Life Skills

Strokes can make it difficult for a person to perform daily activities, such as brushing your teeth and tying your shoes. Stroke victims may encounter physical problems doing these activities, or may forget how to do them. Occupational and physical therapists can help patients relearn these basic skills and regain many of their life skills. If you or someone you know has recently suffered from a stroke, contact a speech language centre right away.