Occupational therapy (OT) is a healthcare profession that helps people of all ages who have physical, sensory, or cognitive problems. OT can help them regain independence in all areas of their lives. Occupational therapists help with barriers that affect a person's emotional, social, and physical needs. To do this, they use everyday activities, exercises, and other therapies.
OT helps people do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). This includes any meaningful activity that a person wants to accomplish, including taking care of yourself and your family, working, volunteering, going to school, among many others. Occupational therapy services typically include:
- Evaluating the patient's condition and needs
- Developing and implementing a treatment plan
- Providing individual and group therapy sessions
- Educating the patient and their family on how to manage their condition at home
- Collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure the patient's overall well-being
OT can be beneficial for people with a wide range of conditions, including:
- Stroke
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson's disease
- Cerebral palsy
- Arthritis
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Learning disabilities
- Developmental delays
- Mental illness
- Injuries
- Chronic pain
OT can help people with these conditions in a variety of ways, such as:
- Improve their physical function and mobility
- Develop coping skills for sensory processing problems
- Improve their cognitive skills, such as memory and attention
- Develop social skills and emotional regulation
- Learn how to use adaptive equipment and technology
- Modify their environment to make it more accessible
- Regain their independence in activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, and eating
OT can help people of all ages live more fulfilling and independent lives. If you or someone you know is struggling to do the things they want and need to do, talk to your doctor about a referral to an occupational therapist.
Here are some examples of how OT can help people with different conditions:
- A child with autism spectrum disorder may learn how to interact with others more effectively and participate in group activities.
- An adult who has had a stroke may learn how to dress and bathe themselves again.
- An older adult with arthritis may learn how to use adaptive equipment to make everyday tasks easier.
- A child with a learning disability may learn how to organize their schoolwork and improve their study skills.
- A person with a mental illness may learn how to manage their symptoms and participate in society more fully.
