What is Occupational Therapy?

Do you have no idea what occupational therapy is? Well, you aren’t alone. Occupational therapy (OT) can be difficult to describe because it is nebulous, and the effects are far-reaching. As occupational therapists we use a combination of modalities to help people of all ages accomplish the things they need (ie. eat, shower, get dressed) and want (ie. garden, ride a bike) to do. We help people become more independent and self-reliant. For adults, this usually means support to recover from an illness, accident, or injury. For children, this can mean overcoming developmental delays, genetic disorders, medical conditions or other syndromes. While the origins of the profession were to help injured soldiers return to work after World War 1, we no longer just focus on work. We help folks return to their hobbies and social lives- which are equally, if not more important. We address not just the person’s impairments but also make adjustments to their activities and their environment. It’s this combined approach that makes occupational therapy very individualized and powerfully effective. It is also what sets up apart from other professions. Often occupational therapy interventions seem simple and straightforward, but they are rooted in psychology and science. I often hear, “that’s so simple, why didn’t I think of that?”