How can a person receive Occupational Therapy?

I was diagnosed with a learning disability when I was a child, and for the most part, you could never tell today. However, my fine motor skills are seriously impaired (like I am 22 and still sometimes have problems buttoning my pants and cutting meat). How do I get occupational therapy...I think it would benefit me. I am in my last year of college and need to gain some fine motor skills to live on my own and to perform my job adequetly (I will be a Special Education teacher in May). Like I said, all my other areas are fine. Do I need a refferral from my doctor, or will neuropsychologist do? Thanks.

Special Education and Occupational Therapy are two different things Blackknight, though a lot of children who recieve Special Education also get Occupational Therapy. Occupational therapists work with people on their fine motor skills, etc.

First of all, congratulations for knowing what occupational therapists do! Most people are clueless as to what the profession actually is. Now to your question...

Most occupational therapy is directed by a referral from a medical doctor. If you are truly concerned about your fine motor abilities, talk to your doctor about it and ask for a referral. Truthfully, I don't know if a neuropsychologist can give a referral or not...it might be worth a try to ask him/her.

The occupational therapist will give you some exercises to strengthen your pinch and improve your coordination. It will be up to you to do these exercises to help yourself. But, if you do not improve, the therapist should help you figure out tools that will help you do fine motor tasks with greater ease. Tools such as "button hooks" and "rocker knives" might be something you could use successfully.

Good luck. I hope you are able to get the assistance you are seeking.

I would recommend going to the American Occupational Therapy Association's website (www.aota.com) and you can find therapists in your area. Call them and find out if they have a referral policy or if you can just make an appointment. Best of luck to you!

ocupational Therapy is special education

don't worrie about it too much .i know a few surgeons here in Florida with the same problem.

As long as he is a doctor, and s/he is your doctor, that doctor can refer you. I am not sure about the neuropsychologist. That sounds like it is starting to get into a different kind of doctor. They usually won't accept a psychologist of any kind.

your family dr should be able to write an script so you can go and your ins. will cover it