About occupational therapists
Occupational therapists help people gain or recover independence in daily activities after an illness, injury or developmental difficulty: self-care, school, work and leisure. They often work with children with autism or sensory needs and with older adults.
Getting mental health care in Uruguay
Under Ley 19.529 and Decreto 305/011, every SNIS provider (ASSE or the mutualistas) must offer psychological care in three modes: free group interventions for specific groups, psychotherapy with a set co-payment (for example for people aged 15 to 30, health workers, teachers and people after a suicide attempt), and longer treatment with a lower co-payment for severe conditions.
What does a occupational therapist do?
An occupational therapist helps people take part in the everyday activities that matter to them, from washing and dressing to studying, working, socialising or managing a home. Day to day they assess how a physical, mental health, developmental or cognitive condition affects daily life, then work on skills, routines, adaptations and equipment. They see children, adults and older people, often within multidisciplinary teams.
What happens in the first session
The first session usually explores your daily routine, what you find difficult, what you want to be able to do again and your home, school or work environment. The therapist may observe you doing some tasks or use standardised assessments. Bring medical reports and a list of the activities that matter most, and ask about goals, home visits and recommended adaptations.