An occupational therapist (OT) is a healthcare professional who helps people of all ages with physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities, injuries, or illnesses to recover or develop skills necessary for daily living and working. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable individuals to participate in activities that are meaningful to them, such as self-care, leisure, work, and social activities.
OTs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, mental health clinics, and private practices. They work with patients to identify their goals, assess their physical and cognitive abilities, and develop treatment plans to improve their ability to perform daily activities.
Some common areas in which occupational therapists work include:
- Helping individuals with physical disabilities to develop strength, coordination, and endurance to perform activities of daily living.
- Assisting children with developmental delays to improve their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and sensory processing abilities to participate in play and school activities.
- Supporting individuals with mental health conditions to develop coping strategies, social skills, and self-care routines to manage daily life activities and improve their quality of life.
- Helping individuals with chronic conditions or injuries to adapt their living and working environments to improve their functional abilities and prevent future complications.