Assistive Technology Services
Disability and assistive technology combines technological invention with modern medicine, helping people with physical and cognitive disabilities acquire and use devices that help improve mobility and independence.
Occupational Therapy
What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy (OT) is a type of therapy that focuses on helping individuals develop, recover or maintain the skills needed for activities of daily living (ADL). Occupational therapists work with people of all ages who may have physical, developmental, social or emotional challenges that impact their ability to participate in daily activities.
At Bryn Mawr Rehab, our goal is to empower our patients to reclaim their independence in ADL, including essentials such as dressing, grooming, bathing, eating, writing, toileting and driving through occupational therapy.
Whether you're with us for an inpatient stay at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital in Malvern, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia, or on an outpatient basis at one of eight convenient locations, our seasoned occupational therapists work collaboratively with you and your support team to create a personalized work plan, perfectly tailored to the particular functions of your day-to-day schedule.
Patients who require OT can be of any age, but are typically recovering from debilitating injuries or conditions like:
Types of occupational therapy at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital
Our programs are tailored to meet the needs of every individual, focusing on both inpatient and outpatient care.
Our team pairs occupational therapy with sensory integration. This is an essential process where your brain interprets and organizes different types of sensory information from your environment and your body, such as sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, movement and balance.
For some individuals, this process can be challenging, leading to feelings of discomfort, difficulty concentrating, motor skills issues or being easily overwhelmed by everyday situations. Therapies focusing on sensory integration can help your brain more effectively process sensory information, leading to improvements in performing daily activities, emotional regulation and overall engagement with your surroundings.
Together, occupational therapy and sensory integration can also help with ADLs such as:
- Transferring to a bed, toilet or tub
- Visual processing and ocular motor control
- Returning to school, work and other daily activities
How long you require therapeutic assistance, whether inpatient or outpatient, is dependent on your individual needs.
Occupational therapy treatment options
Our treatment options are as diverse as the needs of our patients. Every therapy journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation, pinpointing the specific challenges each patient faces. Our customizable therapy programs may include:
- Custom splinting and casting
- Sensory stimulation
- Cognitive, perceptual and motor training
- Functional vision retraining
- Home exercise programs
- Energy-conservation and joint-protection techniques
- Durable medical equipment (DME) usage training
What to expect from occupational therapy
The road to recovery can sometimes seem daunting, but even the smallest achievements mark significant milestones. Our occupational therapy team at Bryn Mawr Rehab is dedicated to adopting creative approaches to boost endurance, agility and teach energy-conservation techniques, helping patients navigate the challenges of daily life with greater ease.
Patients can expect a caring environment that starts with understanding the unique challenges they face. Our goal is to equip each individual with the skills, confidence and support necessary to achieve maximum independence.
Orthopaedic Rehabilitation
As one of the most extensive programs at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, our primary focus is to help patients build strength, mobility and endurance for a variety of orthopaedic conditions.
Physical Therapy
Each inpatient and outpatient physical therapy rehab is individually designed and administered by a licensed physical therapist who consistently guides you from that first visit all the way through recovery.
Concussion Rehab
One of the first acute rehabilitation hospitals in the country to provide treatment for brain injury, we’re recognized as a leader in the field of concussion treatment and recovery.
Driver Rehab
Independence is a major goal of every rehabilitation program. For over 30 years, the driver rehabilitation program at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital has offered a unique way for patients to return to this crucial aspect of their lives.
Lymphedema Management Program
Our lymphedema therapists help you achieve best results early and with continued treatment at outpatient locations in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. Even in cases of chronic lymphedema, an active management program can reduce swelling and improve symptoms.
Amputee Treatment and Rehab
Through the amputee rehabilitation program, we offer a full range of amputee support and rehabilitation from pre-amputation evaluation to advanced prosthetic training, assuring medical management throughout the process.
Pain Management
Our pain management program includes a range of therapeutic techniques, whether you need chronic back pain treatment or relief from pinched nerves. We also draw on integrative medicine approaches to complement traditional pain therapies to give you the safest, most effective results.