What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapists (OTs) are trained professionals that work with people of all ages who encounter difficulties with participating in their activities of daily living (occupations), from being able to read a book, to cooking, to returning to work. Therapy can take on many different forms including cognitive assessments,mental health interventions, providing equipment, making orthoses, and many other strategies based on the needs of clients and their families and what is meaningful and important to them. OTs work with people with varying degrees of physical and mental disabilities, injuries, and medical conditions. Using an evidence-based, holistic approach, OTs work collaboratively with clients to help them achieve overall health, well-being, and to live life as fully and independently as possible.
Occupational Therapy and Children
OTs work with children with physical and cognitive disabilies, generalized learning disabilities, and difficulties with sensory-motor functioning. Therapy for children is seen in schools, children's centres, hospitals, in the child's home, and many other settings. Children's occupations include play, going to school, self-care and other activities that the parents may want them involved in.