A range of treatments designed to minimise the impact of physical and psychiatric conditions on life in order to help people reach their maximum level of function and independence in all aspects of daily living. It includes provision of physical aids, such as stair rails, and activities such as vocationally orientated workshops and arts and crafts classes.
Services typically include:Customized treatment programs to improve one's ability to perform daily activities Comprehensive home and job site evaluations with adaptation recommendations Performance skills assessments and treatment Adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training Guidance to family members and caregivers
Information from the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. 5/05
History of occupational therapy
Occupational therapy began as a profession in the United States in 1917 with the founding of the Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy (now, The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.). Occupational therapy has played a prominent role in epidemics, providing treatment for patients with tuberculosis, polio, and HIV/AIDS. In 1975, following the enactment of legislation known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142), thousands of occupational therapists were employed by public schools to provide therapeutic services (known as related services) to enable children with disabilities to participate in regular school settings. Originally, therapists from approved training programs were certified, or registered by the American Occupational Therapy Association. The 1990's saw the evolution of doctoral programs in occupational therapy. Educational programs in occupational therapy are now accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, and national certification is granted under the auspices of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. More recently, a new discipline within occupational therapy has opened up known as occupational science. Many students in 5-year masters program now recieve their undergraduate degree in this discipline and go on to recieve a Masters degree in occupational therapy during their 5th year.
Occupational therapy practitioners
Occupational therapy practitioners are skilled professionals whose education includes the study of human growth and development with specific emphasis on the physical, affective, cognitive and environmental components of illness and injury.
Most registered occupational therapists (OTR) practicing in the field today possess a Bachelor of Science degree in occupational therapy. A certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) generally earns an associate degree. Upon successful completion of atleast two internships, graduates must pass a national examination (NBCOT or National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy). Most U.S. states also regulate occupational therapy practice (OTs must possess a license within their state).
Philosophy of occupational therapy
Occupational therapists focus on making independence a reality. In the context of occupational therapy, occupation refers to meaningful activity. Choice and control extend to decisions about intervention, thus identifying occupational therapy as a collaborative process between the therapist and recipient of care. 36, 1997))
Benefits of occupational therapy
A wide variety of people may benefit from occupational therapy, these may include people with:
work-related injuries including lower back problems or repetitive strain injuries physical, cognitive or psychological limitations following a stroke, brain injury or heart attack rheumatoid and age-related conditions such as arthritis neurodegenerative movement disorders such as multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Parkinson's disease birth injuries, learning difficulties, or developmental disabilities mental health difficulties Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress substance abuse problems or eating disorders obsessive compulsions, or diagnosed obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) burns, spinal cord injuries, or amputations fractures or other injuries from falls, sports injuries, or accidents visual, perceptual or cognitive impairments developmental disabilities such as autism or cerebral palsy domestic abuse issuesAreas of occupational therapy
Occupational therapists work in a vast array of settings, these include:
Physical
Orthopedics(outpatient clinics) Pediatrics Long-Term Care Hand therapy Cardiac rehabilitation Burn Centers Rehabilitation centers (TBI, Stroke (CVA), spinal cord injuries, etc.) Hospitals (ranging from inpatient, subacute rehab, to outpatient clinics)Community
There is a current shift within the profession towards community based practice. As the fundamental ideologies of occupational therapy are promoting independence, the profession is beginning to realize there are many more populations that would benefit from OT services.
Examples of community-based practice settings:
Health promotion and lifestyle change Intermediate care Day centers Schools Child development centers People's own homes, carrying out therapy and providing equipment and adaptationsNeurology
Stroke rehabilitation Traumatic brain injuriesMental Health
Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) Forensic psychiatry Prisons/sections Mental health clinics Psychiatric rehabilitation programsOccupational therapy case studies
Every day, children and adults have or develop health conditions that significantly affect their ability to manage their daily lives. With the help of occupational therapy, many of these individuals can achieve or regain a higher level of independence. When skill and strength cannot be developed or improved, occupational therapy offers creative solutions and alternatives for carrying out daily activities.
The following examples illustrate occupational therapy and how individuals might benefit from treatment.
Additional occupational therapy services that may be indicated for Alzheimer's Disease patients include an assessment of the home environment. Occupational therapy adaptations promote efficient completion of Art and Martha's "activities of daily living" and predict and prepare for the patient's functional decline. From make-up to management, occupational therapy helped Helen recover the skills she needed. As a toddler, Tommy attended a Head Start program where occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants provided activities to aid his physical and mental development.
Trivia
April is Occupational Therapy month in the US It is Occupational Therapy Week in the UK at the beginning of November In Canada, October is recognized as Occupational Therapy month Clifton Springs, NY is the birthplace of Occupational TherapyOccupational therapy associations
World Federation of Occupational Therapists The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. Australian Association of Occupational Therapists Austrian Occupational Therapy Association Bangladesh Occupational Therapy Association British Association/College of Occupational Therapists Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists Iranian Occupational Therapy Association Israeli Society of Occupational Therapy Italian Association of Occupational Therapists Korean Association of Occupational Therapists Uganda Association of Occupational Therapists New Zealand Association of Occupational Therapists Croatian Association of Occupational TherapistsOccupational therapy associations by US state
| Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky | Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota | Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming |
Occupational therapy links
Occupational Therapy for Function - Treatment Plan for Adult Physical Disabilities inPractice.org - Online tools for managing practice placement OTility.com - directory, jobs, news, and forums for students and professionals The Public Occupational Therapy Journal - multilingual OT portalOccupational therapy blogs
Occupational Therapists' blogs on Therapy Times - Occupational Therapists' blogs on Therapy Times The Occupational Therapy Blog - British Meta OT - British ABC Therapeutics Occupational Therapy Weblog - US Occupational Therapy Tips for Children and Handwriting Occupational Therapy Handwriting Tips for Children, US Mental Health Missives podcast, USUniversities offering OT programs
(all universities are in the US unless otherwise noted)
Kempen Polytechnic University (KHKempen) - Belgium American International College Auckland University of Technology - New Zealand Boston University Cleveland State University University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences - Iran Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Iran Iran University of Medical Sciences - Iran Colorado State University Columbia University Duquesne University Howard University Idaho State University James Madison University Jonkoping University - Sweden Keuka College Medical College of Georgia Medical University of South Carolina Monash University - Australia New York University Northampton University - UK Otago Polytechnic - New Zealand Samuel Merritt College San Jose State University Spalding University SUNY Downstate Medical Center Texas Women's University Thomas Jefferson University Touro University Nevada Towson University Tufts University University of Alberta - Canada University of British Columbia - Canada University of Central Arkansas University of Ulster- UK University of New England University of Pittsburgh University of the Sciences in Philadelphia University of South Alabama University of South Australia - Australia University of Southern California Virginia Commonwealth University University of the West of England - UK University of Washington Washington University in St. Louis York College - City University of New York (CUNY) James Cook University - Australia
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