Which professional focuses on activities of daily living and fine motor skills during stroke recovery?

• A. Occupational Therapist
• B. Physical Therapist
• C. Speech Therapist
• D. Case Manager

Answer: (A)

Regaining independence in daily self-care and precise hand movements is the focus here. After a stroke, many people struggle with both basic tasks (like dressing, bathing, feeding, grooming) and fine motor skills (such as buttoning, gripping utensils, or using small objects). The professional who concentrates on helping people perform these everyday activities and rebuilds dexterity in the hands is the occupational therapist. They assess a person’s ability to carry out ADLs, design practice that mimics real-life tasks, and introduce adaptive tools or environmental changes to make independence possible.

Physical therapists, by contrast, emphasize larger movements, movement strength, balance, and mobility. Speech therapists address communication and swallowing, while case managers coordinate care and resources. So for recovering the ability to care for oneself and refine fine motor control, occupational therapy is the best fit.