RAHPC - Professions
Occupational Therapy Practitioners
Published: Apr 24, 2024 12:43 PMOccupational therapy (OT) helps people engage in daily activities despite challenges like injury or disability. Therapists use exercises, tools, and environmental changes to improve function and independence in tasks like self-care, work, and leisure.
Occupational therapy (OT) is a healthcare profession focused on helping people across the lifespan participate in the activities they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. The goal of occupational therapy is to enable individuals to live life to the fullest by promoting health, well-being, and independence.
Occupational therapists work with individuals who may have physical, cognitive, developmental, or emotional challenges that affect their ability to engage in daily activities. These challenges may arise from conditions such as injury, illness, disability, or aging.
Occupational therapists assess a persons abilities and limitations, as well as the environment in which they function, to develop personalized intervention plans. These plans may include activities and exercises to improve strength, coordination, and mobility; adaptive techniques and equipment to aid in daily tasks; environmental modifications to enhance accessibility and safety; and strategies to improve cognitive skills, emotional regulation, and social participation.
OT interventions are designed to help individuals achieve their goals, whether they involve self-care tasks (such as dressing and grooming), productivity (such as work or school tasks), or leisure activities (such as hobbies and socializing). By addressing the barriers to participation in meaningful activities, occupational therapists empower individuals to lead fulfilling and independent lives.