A day in Dan’s life as a Learning Disability Occupational Therapist

I was working as a Design and Technology teacher when I decided on a complete career change and stumbled across the wonder world of Occupational Therapy. Five years after completing a postgraduate degree, I’ve dipped my toes in education, social care, community health care and inpatient mental health. I have helped people with physical, mental and learning disabilities, from as young as two all the way to a centenarian.

Being an Occupational Therapist (OT) involves working with health professionals and residents to support and empower them to access and thrive in the activities that they need to do, want to do or have to do. It is so varied and can involve everything from fatigue management education to supporting access to public transport and much more!

While every day is unique, this OT Week I wanted to show you a typical day in the life of a Learning Disability Occupational Therapist in Sutton.

8:30 - I checked my emails, referred a resident to Speech and Language Therapy, discussed a complex case with the behaviour specialist, and caught up on some paperwork.

10:00 - First up was a home visit to a resident with severe mental and physical disabilities for a seating assessment after carers raised concerns they can no longer transfer and position her safely. This involved examining the resident and their movement to build up a picture of their barriers to identify solutions.

11:00 - My next stop was a supported living home to visit residents with profound and multiple learning disabilities to look at bathing and sleep occupations. The first resident has an incredibly complex body shape, meaning they needed custom supports to maintain upright posture and comfort, without which they are unable to sit comfortably in the bath. Bathing is a valuable part of their routine, so it is important to them that they can still access this. 
 

12:00 - Next up was a resident with multiple conditions which are impacting their sleep quality, leaving them tired during the day impacting other leisure and self-care occupations. I worked with an equipment representative to trial sleep supports and cushions which help to prevent things such as pressure ulcers and contractures.

13:00 - A quick lunch on the go!

13:30 - My next visit was to a resident living in a care home with severe physical and cognitive difficulties. We discussed observations made by staff about alertness, sensory preferences and physical difficulties, and modelled strategies on how to use assistive technology.

14:30 - I then headed off to the Sutton Inclusion Centre for joint Postural Assessments with the Learning Disability Physio. Like an annual MOT, we completed a comprehensive physical assessment, taking onboard the views of family and carers. These assessments involve identifying changes, responding to concerns and formulating a plan to either improve or maintain the health and wellbeing of the resident. 

15:30 - After a day of visits, I sat down to update some posture management care plans and a risk assessment for a resident.

17:00 - After a busy day it was time to head home!

Find out more about our OT services.