While listening to the podcast "Can OT Help with ADHD" I learned that it actually can. I knew that OT helped many disabilities, but I never knew that ADHD was one of them. Something called the sensory diet, or sensory schedule, is a common term used between pediatric OTs. This means that children with ADHD or any sensory problem need to have a 2-3 minute break every 1 1/2-2 hours. This break helps the child get back into a learning and participation mode. This technique is used not only to help the child become more focused, but it changes the thought of them being a bad kid or from the child hating school. I worked in a Pre-K class before I came to OT school, and I wish I would have known about this technique sooner. There were 2-3 children that really would have benefitted from this technique. ADHD can be improved with just changing the environment and routines. If the OT team, child, and parents all work together, problems can be minimized before they get too out of hand.
Another thing I learned is that assistive technology can improve the balance of time between and individual and the environment. There are 3 different levels of assistive technology: low tech, medium tech, and high tech. Low tech is the easiest to be set up and used. The person using the technology can figure out how to use it without any prior training. Medium tech calls for additional training or set up time. Medium tech assistive technology might need batteries or have an on/off switch. High tech is the most complicated and be challenging to program and maintain.
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