Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is defined as “the therapeutic use of everyday life activities (occupations) with individuals or groups for the purpose of enhancing or enabling participation in roles, habits, and routines in the home, school, workplace, community, and other settings” (American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA], 2014, p. S1). It is a branch of health care that helps people of all ages with physical, sensory, or cognitive problems. OT can help them regain independence in all areas of their lives. 

I am Golda Aseniero, an Occupational Therapist. I have worked as an OT for 15 years in the United States of America. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy in the Philippines. I passed the Philippine OT boards in 1998, took the OT board for the US in Guam, and made it in 2006. Most of my experience in the US involves working with patients in skilled nursing facilities and assisted living settings. Most of my clients in these settings are geriatric and mainly have physical disabilities that hinder the performance of activities of daily living (ADL). After an OT evaluation and proper discharge planning, my patient’s treatments may involve therapeutic exercises and activities, neuromuscular reeducation, functional mobility training, and wheelchair positioning. 

I also address ADL to restore and attain a prior level of function or attain and maintain the highest level of functional independence. Some of my clients in this setting belong to the memory care unit. I am dementia capable trained. Aside from providing the services mentioned above, I also provide patient and staff training on customized strategies to efficiently manage clients with dementia. 

I also had experience with young adults with mental health issues in other skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Whether there was a physical issue on top of the client’s mental condition, most of my treatment approach was providing self-care training. The training sometimes consisted of using adapted equipment and providing a schedule for performing self-care and room management tasks since most, if not all, of these clients, had executive functioning concerns. 

Three years ago, God opened another door as I sought answers on how to understand my focus-challenged hyperactive son. I was hired to work with the elderly and was also assigned to work with school kids from preschool through middle school to help kids play, improve their school performance, and aid their daily activities performed in school. I assisted the children in developing fine motor skills, improving eye-hand coordination/visual perceptual skills, and mastering basic life skills performed in a school setting. I also assisted them in learning positive behaviors and social skills by practicing how they manage frustration, anger, and sensory issues. I recommended or assisted in acquiring special/adaptive equipment to help build their independence in school. 

God opened another door while receiving counseling services through the Bridge of Hope last year. And because His way is not my way, I became a member of this ministry to provide occupational therapy for adolescents, young adults, and middle aged adults undergoing behavioral and psychosocial challenges. Together with these clients’ parents/guardians, I provide assessments and assist in creating goals/routines/schedules customized to each individual’s needs to safely and successfully function at home/school/work with their caregivers or independently. I also perform home assessments, when necessary, to help with organization. Goal planning includes tips on self-regulation and strategies for managing sensory issues in everyday living and routines. 

I have been truly blessed with the opportunity to help others in so many ways through my profession. Getting to where I am right now as an Occupational Therapist is far from what I imagined. God’s purpose, guidance, and persistence brought me to this once-foreign land to open my eyes and be reborn in faith. He allowed me to go through circumstances only He alone could make me deepen my relationship with Him and grow as a person, wife, mother, and servant. Sharing His Word is my desire. It may be challenging to do so at times. However, I take every opportunity to bless others to speak about Jesus’ love and salvation when given a chance. 

I will continue to serve the Lord through the skills He has blessed me with so that I may be able to be the instrument He wants me to be to bring Him glory. 

From Dr. Fabing: Golda Aseneiro is a very focused, intent professional who can cover all areas of occupational therapy with expertise. She works closely with parents to monitor improvement.