Occupational Therapy

The Profession

Every day, people of all ages experience problems 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 high level of independence. From the infant with a developmental disability to the person affected by aging, occupational therapy helps people make the most of their abilities. Occupational therapy offers creative solutions and resources for assisting people to carry out their daily activities.

"The practice of occupational therapy means the therapeutic use of everyday life activities (occupations) with individuals or groups for the purpose of participation in roles and situations in home, school, workplace, community, and other settings. Occupational therapy services are provided for the purpose of promoting health and wellness and to those who have or are at risk for developing an illness, injury, disease, disorder, condition, impairment, disability, activity limitation, or participation restriction. Occupational therapy addresses the physical, cognitive, psychosocial, sensory, and other aspects of performance in a variety of contexts to support engagement in everyday life activities that affect health, well-being, and quality of life." (American Occupational Therapy Association (2002). Broadening the construct of independence. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 56, 660.)