What is an Occupational Therapist?
An Occupational Therapist, or OT, is a health care professional who helps people of all ages develop the skills necessary to live independent, meaningful and productive lives. Occupational Therapists aim to improve physical, mental, and/or cognitive skills of patients by using play, meaningful activities, and exercises that promote and/or restore mental and physical health. They assess individual needs, plan interventions, and help patients reach their maximum level of function, which includes life activities and job performance.
What Does an Occupational Therapist Do?
Occupational Therapists work with individuals of all ages, from babies to those in advanced stages of aging. OTs assist people with physical problems, such as those who have had a stroke, injury, or illness, as well as those who have cognitive or developmental disabilities. Occupational Therapists also treat individuals with mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Occupational Therapists will work with a patient’s family and other health professionals to create a treatment plan that works best for the patient. In general, an Occupational Therapist will:
• Assess a patient’s physical, cognitive, and psychosocial health
• Help a patient develop abilities for everyday life activities
• Develop, adapt, and maintain activities of daily living
• Recommends assistive technology and adaptive equipment as needed
• Assist a patient in developing leisure and recreational activities
• Help a patient participate in vocational activities
• Educate patients, families, caregivers, and other health professionals
How Does an Occupational Therapist Help?
The ultimate goal of an Occupational Therapist is to help the patient reach their maximum level of independence and quality of life. An Occupational Therapist can do this in several ways, such as:
• Teaching energy conservation techniques, such as using a wheelchair or using adaptive equipment
• Treating vision, hearing, and sensory impairments
• Teaching compensatory techniques for improved communication
• Teaching daily living skills, such as cooking, cleaning, and managing a budget
• Teaching self-care activities, such as grooming and dressing
• Teaching socialization skills
• Teaching problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Helping the patient identify and pursue their hobbies, educational goals, and career objectives
By providing interventions, support, and education to patients, Occupational Therapists are able to help improve a patient’s quality of life, maximize their physical and cognitive capabilities, and become more independent and productive in life.