OT/PT/ST/ABA: Understanding the Different Types of Therapy

Jan 28, 2021 | Industry Knowledge

The type of therapy recommended for a patient depends on the injury, illness or disability and the specific goals for treatment and recovery. Understanding the differences enables patients and caregivers to move forward with appropriate expectations for the process and end results.

The Speech Pathology Group and Rehab Services of CT (SPGCT) currently offers four types of therapy treatments to clients. These include Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) Therapy.

Therapies Defined

Basic definitions can help provide a foundation for understanding what each therapy focuses on.

  • Speech Therapy: The assessment and treatment of communication problems and speech disorders.
  • Occupational Therapy: Care that focuses on helping you perform daily tasks more easily.
  • Physical Therapy: Rehabilitative care that focuses on improving movement, mobility, and function.
  • ABA Therapy: Therapy designed to improve social, communication, and learning skills through positive reinforcement for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or other developmental conditions.

What’s Included

The therapy process involves multiple components, and these are applicable regardless of the type of therapy being sought. When beginning any treatment program, patients and caregivers can expect to encounter the following steps. These can happen independently, or overlap and occur simultaneously.

  • Assessment/Evaluation: Analyzing the patient’s current abilities and determination of what therapy treatments are recommended.
  • Goal Setting: Determining the targets and benchmarks for treatment and completion.
  • Tracking Improvement: Evaluating progress towards goals.
  • Rehabilitation: Focusing on restoring movement and function while also decreasing pain and discomfort as needed.
  • Caregiver Training: Providing patient caregivers with the skills and knowledge to support patient progress.
  • Settings: Choosing therapy programs that are one-on-one and/or in a group session.

Getting Started

Need more info? If you or your loved one has been referred for therapy services, contact SPGCT for details on how to get started. Use the Contact Us page to quickly reach out and we can help answer any additional questions on the therapies we offer and how to get started.