Occupational therapy and other rehabilitative programs often include community integration services, which focus on this vital connection between people and the communities to which they belong.
While many therapeutic and rehabilitative programs take place in clinical settings, community integration services in Little Rock are designed to focus on community engagement, either by building practical skills or increasing social access and participation for people with disabilities.
As the world’s largest and most diverse minority group, people with disabilities are not defined by their diagnosis. Instead, they are members of our community who strive to live, learn, work, play, and socialize successfully – enjoying all the benefits of an active, engaged lifestyle.
Therapy programs play a vital role in community integration for people with many different types of disabilities. Whether an individual has a developmental disability that affects their daily social interactions or a mental disability that affects how their senses process the world around them, they deserve a therapeutic approach that allows greater access to the people and social opportunities they need to thrive.
Building Social Skills and Interactions
Children with developmental disabilities have unique milestones and transition periods, which require personalized treatment plans that can vary significantly for every patient. They may have delays or difficulties that impair basic social skills, and it’s important to integrate community-based services into their treatment in order to build these skills early in their development. For example, community integration services for children with disabilities may include muscle exercises to improve speech and motor skills or communication therapies to encourage emotional expression and teach social boundaries.
When disabilities limit a person’s ability to communicate, socialize, or engage with others, it’s important to focus on integrative methods and learned skills. Some community-based services may help build the skills necessary for simple interactions, such as store transactions or friendly exchanges with new people. While others may have a need to focus on self-care or job skills in order to become more self-sufficient.
Employment, Education, and The Role of Occupational Therapy
People with disabilities are just that: people. They cannot be defined simply by their disability. It’s important to make sure they have opportunities to participate in their communities as full, contributing members. Occupational therapy is one of the most vital community integration services for adults with intellectual disabilities. Occupational therapy focuses on building practical skills and increasing access to employment and educational opportunities. Community-based services may include long-term therapy regimens that help individuals transition from childhood to adulthood, or programs that increase an individual’s ability to access transportation, housing, and employment.
Taking therapeutic and habilitative services out of a clinical environment and into a community-based setting is key to the community integration services approach. Whether its health maintenance activities, social interactions, or job training, building these practical life skills provides a path to greater independence.
Integrity, Inc. has been providing services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Little Rock since 1989. The community-based services offered at Integrity, Inc. incorporate therapeutic and habilitative programs that make community integration more successful and beneficial for all involved.
If you have questions about if your loved one qualifies for community integration services in Little Rock, contact Integrity, Inc. at 501-406-0442.