OT upgrade and downgrade activities PDF

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Detailed case studies and how you would upgrade and downgrade different activities....

Description

There are many ways to upgrade and downgrade activities. Therapists can upgrade or downgrade according to size, shape, weight, texture, position relative to the person and static vs. moving position. Performance can be upgraded or downgraded through turn-taking, cognitive complexity, social interactions, use of imagination and specific motor skills. There are many ways to upgrade or downgrade the task of brushing your teeth. One way to downgrade this activity is by using toothpaste from a pump rather than a tube. This can help individuals with weak fine motor skills, who aren’t able to squeeze toothpaste out of the tube with their hands. Another way to downgrade this activity is to use a toothbrush with a bigger handle. This may be easier for individuals to hold, since they won’t have to hold such a tight grip on the object. The third way to downgrade this activity is by utilizing the largest bathroom in the house so that there is more room to perform the movements of brushing your teeth. Three ways to upgrade this task is by having the client open a tube of toothpaste by themselves instead of using a pump. Another way to upgrade this task is by having the client use a smaller bathroom in their house with less room to brush their teeth. This will make the client’s fine and gross motor skills much more constricted. The client won’t have as much room to move their arms when performing the brushing motions. The last way to upgrade this task is by giving the client a thinner toothbrush, which will force them to tighten their grip on it. This will help to test fine motor skills. There are many ways to upgrade and downgrade the task of making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. One way to downgrade the task is by using paper utensils and plates. These items will weigh less than metal utensils and plates and make it easier for the client to transport from one place to another. Another way to downgrade the task is by having the client sitting down while preparing the sandwich. This eliminates the client having to stand for a period of time and maintain balance while making the sandwich. Another way to downgrade the task is by reducing the cognitive complexity by reducing steps necessary to retrieve ingredients. I can have all the ingredients set up for the client to use, so they don’t have to walk around the kitchen retrieving them. One way to upgrade the task is by removing the chair from the client and making the client maintain balance while making the sandwich. Another way to upgrade the task is by increasing the cognitive complexity by adding steps to the task. I can make the client retrieve all the ingredients themselves instead of laying them out for them. Another way to upgrade the task is by making the client use metal plates and utensils. Therefore, increasing the weight of the supplies and making the tools heavier to hold. There are many ways to upgrade and downgrade the task of getting dressed (upper and lower body). A way to downgrade this task is by utilizing clothing that involves Velcro and straps, instead of zippers, buttons and ties. This helps to decrease the amount of fine motor skills needed to secure clothes and shoes in place. Another way to downgrade this task is by having the client sitting and using tools such as a sock aid to easily put on socks. This helps to maintain balance and lessen the need for fine motor skills and bending over when putting on socks. Another way to downgrade the task is by having the client’s clothes already picked out for them. This would decrease the cognitive complexity of the task and create less steps for the client to carry out the task. One way to upgrade the task is by increasing the cognitive complexity and making the client pick out their own clothes and increasing the number of steps to complete the task. Another way of upgrading the task is by making the client stand up and not use the sock aid

when putting on socks. This would increase the need for fine motor skills and would make the client balance themselves. Another way to upgrade the task is by having the client put on a button shirt and shoes with ties instead of velcro. This increases the need for fine motor skills....