What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy is a profession that helps individuals do what they want and need to be able to do. Occupational therapy looks at occupation as more of a general term as in anything that occupies your time. Occupational therapists make sure the individual can do the things that are meaningful to them! Occupations may include work, play, education, rest, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and social participation. Occupational therapy is client-centered, holistic, occupation-based, and focused toward an individual gaining as much independence as possible.

Learn more about occupational therapy by watching this short video: https://youtu.be/ETcPH5-LmDw

COMMON MYTHS ABOUT OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY:

1. Occupational therapists do NOT just sit and create crafts all day. Occupational therapists may use crafts to address visual motor skills, fine motor skills, attention to task, bilateral coordination or a myriad of other functional deficits.

2. Occupational therapists DON'T solely help people get jobs or get back to work.... although we may do that as part of our intervention.

3. Occupational therapists do NOT all work in hospitals. We may work in hospitals or we may work in the home, outpatient setting, schools, nursing homes, community programs, or mental health facilities. Occupational therapists may specialize in driving intervention, hand therapy, feeding, visual rehabilitation, and many other areas.

4. Occupational therapy is NOT the same as physical therapy. Yes, we may address motor skills but is more for a functional task rather than for strictly ambulation or movement purposes. When an occupational therapist works in the orthopedic setting they typically work on the upper extremity and PTs would work on the lower extremity.

5. Occupational therapists do NOT only work on hands and the upper extremity. Occuaptional therapists can work on the spine and lower extremity within their scope of practice while addressing limitations in completing functional tasks or occupations.

6. Occupational therapists do NOT only work with adults. Occupational therapists may work with newborns through the elderly population.

7. Occupational therapists focused in feeding JUST sit and play with food all day. Occupational therapists use food exploration as part of the intervention process including addressing all sensory, motor, cognitive, and behavioral concerns impairing feeding.

COMMON OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY INTERVENTIONS INCLUDE:

• Helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and in social settings

• Helping individuals of all ages recover skills following an injury

• Helping aging adults faced with physical and cognitive changes

• Helping individuals address mental health concerns impairing social function and overall health

• Helping address any motor, sensory, cognitive, or behavioral concerns impairing feeding

• Helping individuals gain access to the community and resources following illness, injury, or incarceration

Watch this short video to learn more about the many populations OT's work with : https://youtu.be/VmAGzESjZaI

THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PROCESS:

1. EVALUATION - assess concerns and problem areas impairing individual's function, overall health & wellness

2. INTERVENTION PLAN- establishing goals and intervention plan based on individual needs and desires

3. INTERVENTION - treatment that will help an individual reach their goals and desired outcomes

4. OUTCOMES EVALUATION/RECERTIFICATION - monitor progress toward goals and modify as needed to aid success

5. DISCHARGE - when clients have met all goals and no longer need services

Watch this video to find out how occupational therapy helps individuals achieve their goals: https://youtu.be/Ud5Fp279g4Y