OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY INTERVENTION IN A CHILD WITH SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY IN THE HOSPITAL CONTEXT: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Introduction: Palliative care in pediatrics is important when available early, preserving life, patient and family autonomy, treating children who go through a situation of advanced, progressive or chronic disease. The performance of occupational therapy in palliative care contributes to the search for maintaining the meaning of life, enabling pleasurable experiences through play, autonomy, building daily life. Objective: To report the experiences of the resident and occupational therapist regarding the care of a 9-year-old child diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1, in a clinical hospital in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Method: This is a case report, elaborated through occupational therapeutic care in the hospital context with a female child. Results and discussion: During the intervention process it was sought to create a therapeutic bond with the child and their caregivers, the introduction of images for the composition of the communication board and occupational therapeutic care through the sensory stimulation protocol. Through alternative augmentative communication (AAC) and playing in bed, the child interacted through looks, emission of sounds and discrete movements in the upper limbs (MMSS) and lower limbs (LLLL). Final considerations: It was evident the importance of the role of the occupational therapist in improving the quality of life of the child, favoring their autonomy, especially through the use of practices focused on palliative. care, alternative augmentative communication and sensory stimulation.