Occupational therapy is treatment to help people live as
independently as possible.
Occupational therapists work with people of all ages
who, because of illness, injury, developmental delays, or psychological
problems, need assistance in learning skills to help them lead independent,
productive, and satisfying lives. Occupational therapists use work, self-care,
and recreational activities to increase independent function.
Occupational therapy can include:
Assistance and training in performing daily
activities. Depending on your needs, these could be:
Personal care activities, such as dressing
and eating.
Home skills, such as housekeeping, gardening, or
cooking.
Personal management skills, such as balancing a checkbook
or keeping a schedule.
Skills important in driving a car or other
motor vehicle. Occupational therapy may be involved in the vision, thinking,
and judgment skills needed for driving, as well as in determining whether
special adaptations such as hand brakes are necessary.
Physical exercises, to increase good posture and
joint motion as well as overall strength and
flexibility.
Instruction in protecting your joints and conserving
your energy.
Evaluation of your daily living needs and assessment
of your home and work environments, with recommendations for changes in those
environments that will help you continue your
activities.
Assessment and training in the use of
assistive devices, such as special key-holders for
people with stiff hands, computer-aided adaptive equipment, and
wheelchairs.
Fitting splints or braces.
Guidance for
family members and caregivers.
Examples of the many different conditions and situations in which
occupational therapy can help include:
Mental and physical impairments a person has
had since birth.
Recovery and return to work after a work-related
injury.
Sudden serious health conditions such as a stroke, heart
attack, brain injury, or amputation.
Chronic (ongoing) conditions,
such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD).
Learning disabilities or developmental
disabilities.
Mental health or behavioral issues such as
Alzheimer's disease, post-traumatic stress, substance abuse, and eating
disorders.
Other Places To Get Help
Organization
American Occupational Therapy
Association
4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220
Bethesda, MD 20824-1220
Phone:
(301) 652-2682
Fax:
(301) 652-7711
TDD:
1-800-377-8555
Web Address:
http://www.aota.org
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is the
nationally recognized professional association of approximately 35,000
occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and students of
occupational therapy. AOTA's mission is to advance the quality, availability, use,
and support of occupational therapy through standard-setting, advocacy,
education, and research on behalf of its members and the public.
References
Other Works Consulted
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
(2006). Occupational therapists. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Available online:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos078.htm.
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