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Since
it is well known that epilepsy is the continuous electrical discharge
of the neurons from the cerebral cortex, which renders the individual
unconscious for shorter or longer period
depending upon the type of the
fit . It is seen that every fit cause damage to
the cortex, which affects the individual's intellectual, powers
upto the extent that he may
become retarded depending upon the frequency of the fits.
The
main points of consideration for an occupational therapist are :
1.
To supervise the patient suffering from epilepsy constantly,
2.
To avoid use of sharp tools,
3.
To avoid occupations which need constant attention and use of machines,
4.
To give activities of short duration initially to capture the interest
of the patient,
5.
To motivate and promote economic rehabilitation,
6.
To increase concentration and
7.
To keep them busy and occupied.
Keeping
above points into consideration , we
can see in our practice of O.T. that
occupational therapy has been of use and benefit to these epileptics.
While the patient is on the bed, the activities, which are light
and require portable equipment, should be introduced.
The useful activities have been as :
(1)
Spool - knitting,
(2)
Paper work , braid weaving,
(3)
Paper Mache , circular braid weaving,
(4)
Knitting,
(5)
Embroidery,
(6)
Tracing,
(7)
Scrap work,
(8)
Tikki work,
(9)
Clay modeling,
(10)
Chalk making,
(11)
Candle making, etc.
If
we analyze above-mentioned activities ,
we find that they are so interesting
activities that they can absorb the
patient and motivate to work
on these activities. These activities do
not need much of supervision unless and until the patient
is retarded.
The epileptics do turn violent and to control this we can give them
resistive crafts and activities, which do not require use of, sharp
tools. The constant vigilance to avoid any mishap is very essential.
Use the activities , which could encourage
the patient vocationally. The workshops
will be of much benefit to these
epileptics. They can work on any job if
they are instructed to observe few precautions in the strict supervision
of the occupational therapist. The experiments have shown that these
epileptics who are denied employment in normal
industry are employed without any fear in the
sheltered workshops for the handicapped. These workshops can
be even exclusively for epileptics where one epileptic
happily helps the other epileptic
at work and even if is suffering from a fit.
This
is seen that they look after each other very well without many inconveniences.
To encourage employment not only keeps
the epileptic busy but also permits
him to be at least partially self - supporting
enhancing the self esteems of the
patient and improves his outlook towards
life. There is no better tonic for the personality development
of these epileptics than employment.
The other point of discussion is the
maintenance of the cheerful mood and personality
of the patient. This is equally
important to reduce the number of convulsions. We know
that many of the institutionalized patients and those
who attend O.T. daily are egocentric,
bad-tempered and hyper sensitive. They are
dull and apathetic. This is said that the aforesaid
personality traits are mostly the predisposing factors to
develop a fit.
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