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This piece is dedicated to a remarkable individual I had the privilege of treating for approximately two weeks. 'S' - a young man in his early twenties, from a small village in Assam, India - arrived at our department in a wheelchair, due to the sequelae of a non-traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite his physical challenges, S displayed an exceptional level of positivity and resilience... S was an aspiring fashion designer, who moved to Delhi to follow his passion. The lack of funds for his higher education forced him to look for a part-time occupation, which led him to take a keen interest in the make-up and beauty industry. Soon, S realised that he had a talent for using knowledge of colour theory in applying make-up and started gathering a small clientele for himself. Tragedy struck with the advent of COVID-19 and, along with many others, S was also a victim of its atrocities. Within time, he was rendered paraplegic, requiring full use of a wheelchair and with 'no possibility of going back to work again'. Clinically, S presented with impairments in: trunk control upper limb strength functional skills wheelchair mobility Recognising his aspirations and potential for rehabilitation, I immediately initiated a comprehensive treatment plan, tailored to address these areas of concern. Our first target was to establish good trunk control and dynamic sitting balance, by engaging him in activities that challenged him in these areas. For example, overhead ball throwing and graded stooping in a high-seated position. Once that was established, we worked on improving upper limb strength and endurance, as it was essential for wheelchair mobility and transfers. Push-ups were a great option and his performance was evaluated based on clearance, endurance and level of assistance provided. Perfecting a static push-up was essential for relieving pressure during long sitting hours, to prevent pressure ulcers. Dynamic push-ups were necessary for independent transfers, from bed to wheelchair and vice-versa. During our therapy sessions, one of the main issues to address was how his current functional status affected his work, to a point of resigning as a make-up artist (MUA). He educated me on all the postural and technical difficulties a male MUA faced, while doing his job in a wheelchair. His biggest challenge was the lack of trunk stability. The other issue he faced was positioning the client to accommodate his wheelchair. He wasn’t comfortable with the idea of leaning over the client’s face with the risk of falling over them while he worked. Another problem he faced was engaging in bilateral activities like hair washing and setting, since it involved him moving all around the client while working. He wouldn’t be able to manoeuvre the wheelchair if his hands were coated in any hair-care products... In order to better understand these hurdles, we conducted a simulation with some modifications, to better suit his functional status. Two of my colleagues assisted as volunteers; we gathered all the basic tools and equipment needed for him to apply basic make-up over a client. We were immediately able to identify some factors that affected his activity performance: The quality of wheelchair used significantly affected his performance. The size, material, state of repair, presence of chest strap, quality of brakes and removable armrests were important aspects to take into account. Environmental factors, like accessibility and open space, were necessary to take into account. Using more handheld tools and gloves helped with prevention of cross-contamination. Having the client, in this case, the volunteer, seated at an inclination instead of lying supine also made a positive difference. A detachable lapboard to place all his tools on was also a better option than the trolley that was usually used by them. Throughout our sessions, S's determination and creativity shone brightly. Despite facing financial constraints and the devastating impact of COVID-19, he remained unwavering in his pursuit of regaining independence and pursuing his passions. With the support of his mother and close friends, S embarked on a journey of self-discovery and adaptation. Incorporating occupational therapy, vocational rehabilitation and physical therapy, our sessions focused on enhancing S's functional abilities, while exploring opportunities for him to re-engage in his interests. Despite initial scepticism, S embraced the idea of utilising his talents in the makeup and beauty industry - leveraging his knowledge of colour theory and artistic skills. Our therapy sessions evolved into a collaborative exploration, of adaptive techniques and strategies tailored to S's unique needs. From mastering wheelchair positioning for optimal makeup application, to implementing pressure relieving techniques during prolonged sessions, each session served as a learning opportunity for both S and myself. As our time together drew to a close, S's remarkable progress and unwavering optimism left a lasting impression on me. His resilience in the face of adversity serves as a testament to the human spirit's capacity for adaptation and growth. S's journey continues, as he undergoes long-term rehabilitation at another branch of our institute. While I may no longer be directly involved in his care, I remain inspired by his tenacity and consistent determination to overcome challenges and pursue his dreams. In conclusion... S's story exemplifies the transformative impact of rehabilitation and the strength of the human spirit. As healthcare professionals, it is both our privilege and responsibility to empower individuals like S, to reclaim their independence and pursue their passions - irrespective of the challenges they may face. Further reading and learning World Health Organization (WHO) (2013) Spinal cord injury (online). Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/spinal-cord-injury. Accessed 13 April 2024. OT CPD Courses: Fundamentals of Posture, Pressure and Ergonomics (2022, The Occupational Therapy Hub). Plus+ Member access to participate and receive a certificate.

Every now and then, the ambience in our office is disturbed by a member of the public roaring with laughter in the corridor, whilst reading the 'Sleep Office' sign on our door. We prick our ears with a sense of familiarity, anticipating what is coming next. "Sleep Office. Ha ha! What do you think they do in there then, sleep?" While the idea of sleeping on the job sounds amusing to some, to our patients, sleep at any time has often become a living nightmare. Night after night, for years or decades - stuck in a seemingly inescapable cycle of desperately wanting to sleep, yet spending much of the night exhausted and awake. We call this insomnia, which is one of the many sleep disorders we deal with at our sleep clinic. To those who have never struggled with sleep, it is hard to understand the profound impact that sleep disorders have on a person’s life. While they may be seen as a nighttime problem, they have a significant impact - across the full 24-hour spectrum - on: health emotions cognition productivity quality of life You might call me biased, but I think that sleep is the ultimate occupation! Every other occupation is affected by how well we sleep, and similarly, sleep is affected by all our occupations. At the Royal Surrey County Hospital (in the UK), we are a team of three Occupational Therapists, working within an outpatient National Health Service (NHS) sleep clinic to provide assessment and behavioural treatment for sleep disorders. While our respiratory nurse and physiotherapy colleagues provide the sleep disordered breathing service, our primary focus is on delivering treatment for insomnia. We also support patients with circadian rhythm disorders, concurrent insomnia and sleep apnoea (COMISA), nightmare disorder and parasomnias. Our patients range in age from 16-90 years and, unsurprisingly, many have complex medical or mental health issues in addition to their sleep disorder. A day in the life... Today, my day started with a remote clinic. Due to there only being a few NHS Insomnia services in the UK, many of our patients are not local and prefer remote treatment, to avoid long journeys. My first patient was a 45-year-old lady who, for the last 10 years, has taken several hours to fall asleep and then woken for another hour or two overnight. At first assessment, she estimated sleeping around 5 hours on a good night and was feeling desperate. Despite describing herself as a naturally positive person, her life had become a battle. She felt exhausted all the time, had been pulled up for mistakes at work and her relationship with her husband was deteriorating - not helped by their recent 'sleep divorce' (separate bedrooms). We initiated cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for Insomnia, which is misleadingly named, as it is nothing like regular CBT. After only a few weeks, her sleep is improving. CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended first line treatment for people with chronic insomnia - although sadly few services exist, which means that most sufferers are fobbed off with no help, or ineffective sleep hygiene. CBT-I has a robust evidence base, demonstrating efficacy in primary and co-morbid insomnia (references 1,2). It is a multi-component intervention, addressing cognitive and behavioural factors that perpetuate sleep disturbance. We deliver our programme in an innovative way, through a combination of treatment videos (which I created, after we were forced to close our service during covid-19) and one-to-one support (to tailor, troubleshoot and top-up video content). While the principles of CBT-I are quite simple, in reality they can be challenging, both to deliver as a healthcare professional and to implement as a patient. For example, techniques such as sleep scheduling can be very daunting. This requires an already-sleep-deprived individual to sacrifice catch-up sleep, get up at a consistent time and temporarily reduce their overall time in bed, in order to increase sleep efficiency. Not surprisingly, occupational therapy coaching skills are extensively employed, including: evaluating motivation explaining rationale instilling hope compassionately acknowledging concerns adapting guidance to overcome barriers or resistance In spite of patients’ initial scepticism, CBT-I literally changes lives within a matter of weeks. That was the case for my first patient. Only four weeks after first seeing me, she was surprised to find that she was falling asleep within 30 minutes - and getting back to sleep quickly during the night. Her average sleep duration had already increased to 6.5-7 hours a night. I explained the next steps and congratulated her on the positive spiral she was creating - where increased sleep consistency produces greater confidence, which in-turn promotes calm at bedtime and consequently promotes more sleep! My next patient was a 62-year-old man, whom I was speaking to for the first time. He explained that his sleep had been poor for years; as is the case for many of our patients, his physical and mental health was suffering. After initially describing symptoms suggestive of insomnia, he flippantly disclosed violent dreams associated with thrashing around and dream-related movement. Further questioning revealed a history consistent with REM Behaviour Disorder (RBD). Sadly, around 70% of those with RBD develop Parkinson’s Disease within 12 years (reference 3). RBD is not something that can be treated behaviourally and a formal diagnosis requires a laboratory sleep study, which we do not have available at our hospital. So I inform the gentleman on good sleep practices, recommend safety measures to avoid injury overnight, advise the GP to remain vigilant to other prodromal Parkinson’s symptoms and refer him to a London clinic, for a formal diagnosis. Other activities during the day include setting up a respiratory sleep study for a lady with insomnia - but whom I suspect has sleep apnoea too. Plus talking to a young woman with a severely delayed sleep rhythm (4am - 1pm) about light therapy. That and wading through an endless stream of admin, triaging referrals, attending a multidisciplinary (MDT) meeting and cursing the new electronic records system that isn’t cooperating... As my day draws to an end, I am left utterly convinced that when we help our patients sleep, we help them live. If this article has inspired you to think more deeply about sleep, I would encourage you to start building your knowledge of sleep, through reading or training. From there, your most powerful tool is to ask your patients about their sleep. In the words of Jane, a former patient and former insomniac: "Life feels so much brighter, better and happier when you’ve slept well!" Struggling to sleep? Listen up! This free 30-minute one-off podcast will provide insights and evidence-based techniques, to help you and your clients sleep better tonight! If you are struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep, please listen in below. Created by article author Louise Berger, the talk will cover: How you are not alone and there is hope What to do when you are having a few bad nights The difference between a few bad nights and full-blown insomnia How insomnia develops The vicious cycle of trying too hard to sleep The two systems that determine how well you sleep - sleep drive and hyper-arousal The difference between being sleepy and tired Practical ways to increase sleep drive, so you can fall (and stay) asleep more easily Ways to reduce alertness and anxiety at bedtime and overnight Why you don’t have to sleep 7-8 hours every night Why your insomnia isn’t going to take you to an early grave References Trauer, J.M., Qian, M.Y., Doyle, J.S., Rajaratnam, S.M.W. and Cunnington, D. (2015) Cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Internal Medicine. 163 (3): 191-204. doi: 10.7326/M14-2841. Edinger, J.D., Arnedt, J.T., Bertisch, S.M. et al. (2021) Behavioral and psychological treatments for chronic insomnia disorder in adults: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine systematic review, meta-analysis, and GRADE assessment. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 17 (2): 263-298. Roguski, A., Rayment, D., Whone, A.L., Jones, M.W. and Rolinski, M. (2020) A neurologist's guide to REM sleep behavior disorder. Frontiers in Neurology. Jul 8; 11:610. Berger, L. (2024) Say Goodnight to Insomnia Podcast. Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust: Occupational Therapy > Insomnia Clinic. Available online: https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/saygoodnight. Accessed 15 February 2024.

How often have we heard: "Sign up for an activity!" "You should get out more." "Don't you think you spend a lot of time doing nothing? Go for a walk" "You need to start a new routine." or "I'm worried about you." These are expressions commonly used to attempt to 'motivate' someone to do something. However, a number of questions come to my mind: What am I signing up for? When? Where? How? With whom? And why?... What we do is part of who we are I am writing this as an occupational therapist (OT). I wonder why people know so much about the properties of aspirin, for example, but not about the make-up and importance of occupation, sleep, habits, roles and routines; certainly not about the properties of everyday life activities. Four years ago, I started a journey through a 'strange' world. I am an occupational therapist, specialising in mental health. My PhD in Psychology focused on researching the daily lives of people diagnosed with a rare disease: Variant Transthyretin Amyloidosis. I started by studying the condition, although after some time I became immersed in others, such as other Amyloidoses, Tuberous Sclerosis, Familial Spastic Paraparesis and Epidermolysis Bullosa (known as 'Butterfly Skin'). How lucky I was! Daily life Variant Transthyretin Amyloidosis is a rare genetic disease, complex to understand and with a variable prognosis. It was first described in 1952 by the Portuguese neurologist Corino Andrade as a peculiar form of peripheral neuropathy. In Europe, the incidence of Variant Transthyretin Amyloidosis varies widely. In Portugal, Sweden, Majorca and Cyprus, Variant Transthyretin Amyloidosis with Polyneuropathy is endemic and one particular mutation predominates - Val30Met. Low prevalence, little research and therefore little understanding. That is the reality. First symptoms of the disease usually appear in the third decade of life. Patients usually experience severe physical limitations due to the genetic mutation - but psychological, social and occupational effects have also been described (Luigetti et al., 2020). Existing research suggests that being diagnosed affects activities of daily living (Buades-Reinés et al., 2016). However, in addition to the clinical approach, no type of intervention has been described that focuses on the maintenance, improvement and adaptation of the daily life of patients and their carers after the diagnosis - a competence that sits within the discipline of occupational therapy. Specifically, my PhD project aims to analyse the effectiveness of an occupational intervention in patients with Variant Transthyretin Amyloidosis. The objectives were to have concrete understanding of: what the benefits of this intervention would be in which parameters of the daily life of patients these benefits would be realised what the magnitude of their impact would be I wanted to illustrate the impact of this disease on the occupational dimension and on daily life - to open up avenues for future research, to stimulate reflection on possible lines of intervention and to highlight the importance of a differentiated multidisciplinary team - complemented by professionals in the psychosocial field, such as occupational therapists. It is the journey that is important, not the destination During these four years I have worked with people in group and individual sessions, to work on daily living and understand how the body works as a whole. Studying, adapting, changing or starting new occupations have been my goals during my time specialising in rare diseases. I discovered that the occupational therapist is the key to motivation, planning and understanding the basic and not-so-basic aspects of daily life. And that it is not about people doing things; it is about having a meaningful life, without being conditioned by a diagnosis. I understood that occupation is not a luxury for a few; it is a right for all. Asociación Balear de la enfermedad de Andrade (ABEA) To make contact regarding this research: Aina Gayá Barroso ainabarroso@gmail.com Instagram: gaya_terapiaocupacional References Ando, Y., Coelho, T., Berk, J.L., Cruz, M.W., Ericzon, B-G., Ikeda, S-I., Lewis, W.D., Obici, L., Planté-Bordeneuve, V., Rapezzi, C. et al. Guideline of transthyretin-related hereditary amyloidosis for clinicians. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 2013, 8, 31-38. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] Asociación Balear de la enfermedad de Andrade (ABEA). Available online: https://andradebalear.es/ Connors, L.H., Lim, A., Prokaeva, T., Roskens, V.A. and Costello, C.E. Tabulation of human transthyretin (TTR) variants. Amyloid. 2003, 10, 160-184. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] Damy, T., Adams, D., Bridoux, F., Grateau, G., Planté-Bordeneuve, V., Ghiron, Y., Farrugia, A., Pelcot, F., Taieb, C., Labeyrie, C. et al. Amyloidosis from the patient perspective: The French daily impact of amyloidosis study. Amyloid. 2022, 29, 165-174. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] Estébanez, C.T., Soriano, C.S., Escrich, A.G. and Segura, S.R. Late-onset familial amyloid polyneuropathy in the Safor (Valencia) area: Four case reports. Rev. Clín. Esp. 2007, 207, 75-76. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] Gayà-Barroso, A., González-Moreno, J., Rodríguez, A., Ripoll-Vera, T., Losada-López, I., Gili, M. and Cisneros-Barroso, E. Accessibility to Occupational Therapy Services for Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 2022, 19, 4464. 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Clinical and analytical variability in cases of familial amyloidotic 331 polyneuropathy (PAF-TTR): Comparison between healthy carriers and symptomatic 332 patients. Med. Balear. 2015, 30, 31-36. [Google Scholar] Matyjasik-Liggett, M. and Wittman, P. The Utilization of Occupational Therapy Services for Persons with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease. Occup. Ther. Health Care. 2013, 27, 228-237. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] Munar-Qués, M., Saraiva, M.J., Viader-Farré, C., Zabay-Becerril, J.M. and Mulet-Ferrer, J. Genetic epidemiology of familial amyloid polyneuropathy in the Balearic Islands (Spain). Amyloid. 2005, 12, 54-56. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] Raya-Cruz, M., Buades-Reines, J. and Gállego-Lezaun, C. Variabilidad clínica y analítica en casos de polineuropatía amiloidótica familiar (PAF-TTR): Comparación entre portadores sanos y pacientes sintomáticos. Med. Balear. 2015, 30-33, 31-36. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] Reinés, J.B., Vera, T.R., Martín, M.U., Serra, H.A., Campins, M.M.C., Millán, J.M.D., Lezaun, C.G. and Cruz, M.R. Epidemiology of transthyretin-associated familial amyloid polyneuropathy in the Majorcan area: Son Llàtzer Hospital descriptive study. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 2014, 9, 29. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] Said, G. Diagnostic pitfalls in sporadic transthyretin familial amyloid 346 polyneuropathy (TTR- FAP). Neurology. 2007, 69, 693-698. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] Sakellariou, D. and Pollard, N. Occupational Therapies without Borders: Integrating Justice with Practice. 2nd ed., Elsevier: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2017, pp. 102-108. [Google Scholar] Van Deusen, J. and Harlowe, D. The efficacy of the ROM Dance Program for adults with rheumatoid arthritis. Am. J. Occup. Ther. 1987, 41, 90-95. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] Voortman, M., Fritz, D., Vogels, O.J.M., Eftimov, F., van de Beek, D., Brouwer, M.C. and Drent, M. 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As Occupational Therapists, we are always trying to identify activities that a client might connect with. Gardening is an accessible, adaptable pastime, that many clients have experienced and which an intervention can be built around. However, barriers exist with many mental health conditions, such as volition and fatigue, that need to be overcome in order to engage. Take this short course to explore these themes further. Questions and self-reflection will follow content, to help test your knowledge and provide evidence of learning.

Introduction As Occupational Therapists, we are always trying to identify activities that a patient or client might connect with. Gardening is an accessible, adaptable pastime, that many clients have experienced and which an intervention can be built around. However, for many mental health conditions, there are barriers such as volition and fatigue, that need to be overcome in order to engage. These can be minimised by using techniques to encourage engagement, predominantly appropriate for Occupational Therapists, but also Social and Therapeutic Horticulturists. A brief overview of depression Depression (also known as major depression, major depressive disorder, or clinical depression) is a debilitating mood disorder and mental health condition. It can affect people of all ages, races, ethnicities and genders, often presenting itself with low mood and cognitive distortion (Gonzalez et al, 2009). Characteristics often impact the ability to engage with others and in daily life activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. Although men, women and people of all genders can feel depressed, how they express symptoms - and the behaviours used to cope with them - may differ. An individual with depression is likely to experience some (but not all) of the following signs and symptoms, most of the day, nearly every day: Persistent sad, anxious, or 'empty' mood Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness Feelings of irritability, frustration or restlessness Decreased energy, fatigue or feeling slowed down Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions Difficulty sleeping, waking early in the morning, or oversleeping Becoming withdrawn and detached; isolating from family and friends Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities Problems with sexual desire and performance Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes Physical aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems (no clear physical cause) Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts [National Institute of Mental Health, 2023] Depression interferes with day-to-day functioning and causes significant distress for the person experiencing it. Statistically, 4-10% of people in England (for example) will have depression at some time (NICE, 2011), with 7.8% being diagnosed alongside anxiety (HSCIC, 2009). The World Health Organisation (WHO, 2008) predicted that depressive conditions would be the second major cause of disability in the world by 2020. As symptom severity is highly variable, any effective intervention should be appropriate to the degree of depression. Evidence that gardening is beneficial for depression Soga, Gaston and Yamaura (2016) carried out a statistical quantitative research review of the health benefits of gardening and concluded it can provide a reduction in depression. This supports many of the qualitative experiences of the benefits of gardening with depression. "Gardening is a constant boost to my consciously nurtured optimism, as I am surrounded by the natural world, which pursues life with eager enthusiasm." (Mind, 2017) Gonzalez et al (2009) evaluated the impact of therapeutic horticulture on clinical depression, by measuring changes in the severity of the depression and the participants' perceived capacity for attention. They found a correlation between the extent to which attention was captured and the reduction in depression. They deduce that this was a result of the disruption to the participant’s rumination and the effortless attention involved in engaging in gardening. Berg and Custers (2011) demonstrated that gardening increased positive mood, reducing cortisol levels and enabled participants to handle acute stress better (Kings Fund, 2016). Rostami et al (2014) noted that visitors of gardens felt that the experience reduced their depression by 94%. Providing access to a garden environment - even visiting public areas - can have positive effects on well-being, evoking a sense of identity, meaning and reducing stress. The MIND charity and University of Essex (UK) have developed an eco-therapy project - including gardening and food growing - to support mental health conditions, including depression. They found 69% of people experienced significant increases in wellbeing by the time they left the Ecominds project. Their survey of GPs stated that the eco-therapy was a valid and suitable treatment for anxiety (52%) and depression (51%) (University of Essex, 2013). Thrive (2017) suggest that gardening is an activity that enables a person to often connect with their past, while developing personally through their growing horticultural knowledge. It provides essential physical exercise, social connectedness and environmental connectedness (Sempik et al, 2005).

occupation We believe in the power of for health & well-being Your global occupational therapy community The platform and app run by Occupational Therapists. Shaped by 20,300+ Members , in 195 countries. News + Latest Free Membership Membership Plus+ Passionately empowering clinicians, students and those they support The Mission To show the world the value of our health and social care profession . ​ To share knowledge and resources, across an international community. To provide a community of practice, reducing geographical and professional isolation. On upgrading to Membership Plus+ : "I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in to the resources, as they look fantastic. Thank you for your hard work on The Occupational Therapy Hub." ​ ​ Carina (email, 2024) Testimonials Community dashboard Colette Montgomery 2d Research support Catherine Lipinskis 7d Dissertation support Aarti Brahmbhatt Apr 23 OT placement Verity Jones Mar 21 Research with Paediatric Occupational Therapists Amy Patterson Apr 20 Children & Young People with Chronic Pain Gill Court Jan 19, 2022 OT practitioners working in Domestic Abuse - making connections? ek.dawson Apr 15, 2022 OT and early intervention in psychosis (EIP) - UK help please!? Jens190301 Apr 02 Average day as a MH OT Jens190301 Mar 26 Counselling ba degree to OT MSc 2 year course. Latest OT CPD Courses (Plus+) Sleep: An Occupational Therapy Domain 2 Plans Available Join ADHD and Occupational Therapy 2 Plans Available Join Therapy Article Highlights Career Three ways to finding your real happiness Reflective Journals Reflections on the Rebirth of an Artist A Day in the Life 'Drawing back the covers' on the OT role in sleep: An article and podcast Hub News Hub News Poll So, what do you think? Shaped by Members every day, the Hub is your global community of practice. So, to focus our efforts in developing OT resources that are most useful to you , we ask you to consider submitting opinions and/or constructive feedback in 2024's Membership Poll . We will upgrade a random participant's account for free, regardless of their answers or ratings given. The poll takes just a few minutes. It will close on Sunday 30th June . In advance, thank you for helping to make this the best occupational therapy community possible! 28/04/2024 Membership Poll 2024 Plus+ Dementia in Australia: Clinical recommendations post-diagnosis (2024) Over 400,000 Australians are thought to be living with dementia; this number is expected to double by 2058. The recommendations in this research can help individuals, families and healthcare providers to navigate this difficult time. Upgraded to Plus+ ? Read the 2024 discussion paper now, within the Development and Ageing theme of the Research Portal. 27/04/2024 Research Portal (Plus+) Plus+ Research: The i mpact of assistance dogs on the occupational engagement of children with autism and their families ‘Having the dog as part of our family gives us hope’. Assistance dogs reportedly progressed children from community ‘isolation' to freedom. Plus+ Members c an learn about the three identified themes and explore the 2024 study's findings, within the Neurodiversity section of the Research Portal. 22/04/2024 Research Portal (Plus+) Free New article: Reflections on the Rebirth of an Artist This story of 'S', who had a spinal cord injury, exemplifies the transformative impact of rehabilitation and the strength of the human spirit. As healthcare professionals, it is our privilege and responsibility to empower such individuals, to reclaim their independence and pursue their passions - irrespective of the challenges they may face... Read this and other educative and reflective articles here - or via The OT Hub app . 14/04/2024 Therapy Articles Free Watch: Perinatal Occupational Therapy What is perinatal mental health and how can occupational therapists help both mums and dads over this testing transition period? Watch a TV interview with OTR/L Hayle to find out! Access this (and other) educative and informative videos right here - or on-the-go, via The OT Hub app . [Video credit: ND Today]. 10/04/2024 Therapy Videos Plus+ Researcher Seeks to Improve Motor and Cognitive Function in Children with Autism "OT interventions can be effective in changing brain performance... We rewire the brain by utilising strategies that enable it to process sensory information in a more functional manner... Strategies can be specifically designed to motivate and engage children, while addressing their unique sensory-motor, psychosocial and cognitive-behavioural needs." Access the latest news and stories from the profession worldwide, with Membership Plus+ . 06/04/2024 OT Updates (Plus+)

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Hub Jobs Vacancies and voluntary roles. For occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants and students. Before making contact or applying for a post, please consider your skillset and relevant experiences to-date. Vacancy applications will only be considered if you can clearly demonstrate you meet the criteria outlined. Interview tips OT CPD Courses Lead Voluntary Ad hoc/Flexible hours Worldwide (working remotely) The Hub T eam are looking for a passionate and driven occupational therapist, to lead in managing and growing our latest resource portal, OT CPD Courses . This is accessed by Plus+ Members (full upgrade to Membership Plus+ is provided to the post holder). It consists of short online programs, that provide - and then test - Members’ knowledge on a range of subjects within the profession. You will be enhancing your own CPD portfolio and networking with occupational therapists worldwide . You will feature on our website Team page and have access to the entire platform, our social media channels and email. Projects to include : Developing course content, in collaboration with Members; reaching out to the professional community for development of further courses; liaising with fellow team members to contribute their specialist knowledge; promoting the portal. This is a part-time, ad hoc role. No set hours are required. We ask that you engage regularly with other Hub Team members. All Team positions are currently voluntary. As The Occupational Therapy Hub's commercial division grows, management will reward its Team for their commitment. The Occupational Therapy Hub hubteam@theOThub.com Apply Research Lead Voluntary Ad hoc/Flexible hours Worldwide (working remotely) The Hub Team are looking for a passionate and driven occupational therapist to lead our internationally-utilised Research Portal 3.0 , accessed by Plus+ Members (full access to Plus+ resources provided). You will be enhancing your CPD portfolio and helping to connect OTs, OTAs and students to research, to inform their practice . You will feature on our website Team page and have access to the entire platform, our social media channels and email. Projects to include : Searching for new and recent research; uploading journal articles to the Portal; developing research categories; reaching out to Members, to submit their work; bringing content to the attention of Members via social networks. This is a part-time, ad hoc role. No set hours are required. We ask that you engage regularly with other Hub Team members. All Team positions are currently voluntary. As The Occupational Therapy Hub’s commercial division grows, management will reward its Team for their commitment. The Occupational Therapy Hub hubteam@theOThub.com Apply Webinars Lead Voluntary Ad hoc/Flexible hours Worldwide (working remotely) The Hub Team are looking for a passionate and driven occupational therapist, to help lead our work creating and showcasing educative webinars. This role would focus on growing the OT Webinars portal, accessed by Plus+ Members (full access to Plus+ resources provided). You will be enhancing your CPD portfolio and networking with occupational therapists worldwide . You will feature on our website Team page and have access to the entire platform, our social media channels and email. Projects to include : Expanding the library of video interviews, discussion topics and presentations; connecting with relevant organisations and reaching out to Members. This is a part-time, ad hoc role. No set hours are required. We ask that you engage regularly with other Hub Team members. All Team positions are currently voluntary. As The Occupational Therapy Hub’s commercial division grows, management will reward its Team for their commitment. The Occupational Therapy Hub hubteam@theOThub.com Apply Hub App Lead Voluntary Ad hoc/Flexible hours Worldwide (working remotely) The Hub Team are looking for a passionate and driven individual, to lead in updating and growing content on our iOS and Android app - The OT Hub App . You will be enhancing your CPD portfolio and networking with occupational therapists worldwide . You will feature on our website Team page and have access to the entire platform and app. Projects to include : Ensuring content on the platform (desktop and mobile sites) is echoed on the app, where possible; exploring new features and technical capabilities; providing app users with exclusive content; managing and reviewing updates, via Google Play and the App Store. This is a part-time, ad hoc role. No set hours are required. We ask that you engage regularly with other Hub Team members. All Team positions are currently voluntary. As The Occupational Therapy Hub’s commercial division grows, management will reward its Team for their commitment. The Occupational Therapy Hub hubteam@theOThub.com Apply New roles are uploaded periodically. Interested in a position, or in advertising a job? Contact the Hub Team