Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy (OT) is the use of assessment and treatment to develop, recover, or maintain the daily living and work skills of people with a physical, mental, or cognitive disorder. The American Occupational Therapy Association defines an occupational therapist as someone who..."helps people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes."

Occupational therapists promote skill development and independence in all daily activities. For an adult, this may mean looking at the areas of self-care, home-making, leisure, and work. The "occupations" of childhood may include playing in the park with friends, washing hands, going to the bathroom, cutting with scissors, drawing, etc.

Occupational therapists work with individuals whose goals are to gain back basic functions that they have lost due to a form of disability. Stroke patients who lose function in one side of their body will need therapy to help regain fine motor skills and to learn to adjust performing basic functions like eating and brushing teeth with that lost function.

An individual who has lost a limb or become paralyzed will need therapy to adjust to performing occupational tasks. Occupational therapists assist in the rehabilitation of these individuals through working on fine motor skills and regaining the ability to perform everyday functions.