Community Occupational Therapy with Mentally Handicapped Adults

by Debbie Isaac

Overview

The philosophy of normalization and promotion of the plight of children and adults with mental handicaps has drawn more public attention in recent years. Governments in a number of countries have embarked upon policies involving the dosure of institutions, move­ ment of people with mental handicaps back into the community, and development of community-orientated programmes, although their reasons for this may be economically, rather than ideologically, motivated. Occupational therapists have moved into the community, along with other health professionals, in order to set up community services for people with mental handicaps. My own experience of working in a multidisciplinary team in Central London for 2V2 years, helping adults with mental handicaps to move out of an institution, has been a source of motivation to write this book. The amount of written material available on the occupational therapy approach to re settlement and de­ institutionalization is limited, in comparison with the massive amount of information written by, and for, other practitioners. Additionally, the number of texts written by and for occupational therapists with this dient group are few. Despite excellent support from OT colleagues, I experienced considerable frustration trying to define and perform my role, not helped by a shortage of texts to draw on.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780412327209
Publisher:	Springer US
Publication date:	01/01/1990
Series:	Therapy in Practice Series , #16
Edition description:	1990
Pages:	275
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Community occupational therapy and the multidisciplinary team
institution to community
assessment
living skills and training
housing
preparation and work with people with profound mental handicap behaviour problems and mental illness
individual and group work
integration into the community
working with families.

Editorial Reviews

This guide for occupational therapists covers the role of the therapist, the practicalities of moving mentally handicapped adults out of the hospital and into the community, skills training, and the use of group and individual work with clients, as well as the development of suitable housing, employment opportunities, and the stresses and problems for therapist and client. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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