_ Therapists’
_ knowledge
' can find

: answers

: Tracey Stephen-Loggia and |

: Sheila Howick Hamilton pro-
1 vide occupational therapy ser-
* vices -to children and — their
: familles at the Terrace Child
: Development .Centre and
: Kitimat Child ‘Development
> Cenires respectively.

. _ The following article is the
+. first in a series of four describ-
* ing the work of occupational
* therapists. 7
: By Northwest Branch
: of B.C, Society of

Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapy with
preschool and early school age
children is the therapeutic use of
self-care and play activities to
increase development and to
prevent disability.

Ken, a fictional eighteen-
month-old baby boy has been
referred to occupational
therapy. because his parents are
concerned about Ken’s ap-
parent slow development,

pEe SAR rT Rae ee

observes Ken’s family play and
care for him as weil as playing
with him herself. The occupa-
tional therapist notes that Ken
has delayed and different play
skill development. She shows
his parents ways to help Ken to
progress to the next step of
development.

Occupational therapy is no

EEMQCecLaesgareres- +

longer required when Ken is |

able to function as well as other
children his age or when his
parents feel that they are able to
continue to stimulate Ken’s
development without occupa-
tional therapy input.

_ Michelle is a fictional six-
year-old girl who has difficulties

because she has cerebral palsy.
(Cérebral palsy is a condition in
which a person has difficulties
moving easily and normally.)
Michelle’s family usually heip
her dress and undress,
However, Michelle has to un-

would like to learn how-io-do
‘this activity independently.”

to learn in order to dress in-
dependently. She may also help
Michelle’s fmaily to choose
clothes that are less difficult for
her to put on and take off,

and Micheile’s family will prac-
tice dressing with Michelle until

when dressing, she may also
learn how to help the other
children to help her in the
easiest, most comfortable way.

Occupational therapist’s
abilities to analyze and break
down activities to determine ex-
actly where a child is having dif-
ficulties and their ability to

the child and the child's family,
friends and teachers allow them
to assist children to function in
self-care, play, school and
- tecreational activities.
If you have any questions

with young children, please call
Tracey at 635-9388 or Sheila at

a

ty. Bee

British
Columbia

“The occupational therapist-
observes Michelle dressing ‘and «:
determines what Michelle needs:

she is able to dress and undress.
independently. While she is
learning to be independent.

about occupational therapy

1-604-687-9096

“CLEAR
THE AIR

Reduce air
flution

‘om residential
- wood smoke

and aulo emissions with tips - .

from the Association.

+t B.C. Lung Association
! Box 34009, Station D oye

#. Vancouver, B.C. VO 4M2

The occupational therapist —

dressing herself independently

dress and dress at school for - 7
physical education class. She |

The occupational therapist

creatively problem solve with «

side 692-3144. nd
ime If you are concerned about’:
i your child and wonder if oc--':

> gupational therapy may be“.
is useful, ask your, family physi- -*:
37 cian or call the Child Develop-~.

- ment Centre:in your communi-. .

UNICEF |]. Pa vice Purchias

Terrace Standard, Wednesday, December.18, 1991 — Page 83.

Tough fam
being |
a star

EVERY STAGE STAR —
has a public and a
private side as these
photos show. At left,
James Kinney betrays
no sign of there being a
problem as he does his
bit during Kiti K'’Shan
Elementary's dress

rehearsal for their
Christmas show.
However, his - expres-

sion at right tells a dif-
ferent story. Still, -
managing to ignore the
obvious discomfort at
the crucial moment is a
sure sign James, 8,
already has that special
sense of  profes-
sionalism that. is. the
mark of all great per-
formers.

Santa will
be here on
Saturday,

os \ Dec. 21 |
~ \ 4:00 - 4:00
| with a gift bag
for the kids _
“and a‘picture?s
on Santas knee. ©

—oamoo bas cing.

cree sy

piste oc

“MPS WT
a beep athoola

FREE.
POINSETTIAS

to everyone who
test drives
a new car or truck

With Every Parts & Service Purchase You Will

Out Of Town Customers
Please Call Collect: -

sas-a04y

Terrace

bre

t Spot on Highway 16 West