Occupational Therapy is a growing field. If you aren’t familiar, you may wonder what an occupational therapist does! Occupational therapists (OTs) are healthcare professionals who assist with rehabilitation or remediation of life skills. This may be following an injury or when managing a health condition. They can help individuals with all sorts of tasks and needs, such as:
For example, if a person has been in an accident and is experiencing physical and cognitive impairments, an OT can help them work on regaining physical skills such as balance and coordination, as well as cognitive skills like memory and concentration. On this page, we’ll explore what OTs do, the tools and techniques used in therapy, and who can benefit from working with an OT.
OTs can provide interventions for individuals with cognitive, physical, sensory, or developmental impairments. They may treat individuals with a wide range of conditions, including the following:
OTs have a lot of responsibility, because they focus on treating the whole person. There is an emphasis on improving the individual’s overall quality of life and ability to be independent. Let’s explore some of the responsibilities and techniques involved in the different aspects of occupational therapy.
Before treatment begins, OTs evaluate their client’s needs and abilities. They may also assess the individual’s home and work environment to determine if any adaptations are needed to allow for more independence.
Once they complete their assessment, the OT can create a treatment plan tailored to the needs of their client. Treatment plans may include both physical and cognitive interventions.
OTs can address physical recovery and limitations with their clients. This can include:
Individuals who experience cognitive impairment or decline may also benefit from occupational therapy. OTs can provide exercises to help clients work on the specific cognitive skills that are affected.
Some cognitive skills addressed may include:
Cognitive exercises can include digital exercises, worksheets, and bridging activities such as roleplaying daily situations. It can also include performing daily living tasks that involve multiple cognitive skills, such as tasks that involve multiple steps or sustained attention. For example, cooking dinner or grocery shopping.
In the United States, OTs must earn a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited program. They also require a board certification from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). In addition, OTs must hold a license for each state they practice in. OTs can choose to pursue specialty certifications to demonstrate advanced knowledge in a specific area, such as gerontology, mental health, pediatrics, and more.
In addition to formal qualifications, OTs need certain skills in order to provide the best care. They must be adaptable, patient, caring, and communicative in order to meet the needs of their clients. It can be frustrating to be an individual in therapy, and needs may change throughout the therapeutic process. If OTs can empathize with their clients’ emotions and struggles, adapt treatment as needed, and communicate in order to problem-solve and encourage their clients, they’ll be well-suited for the role.
If you’re experiencing challenges that are causing an issue in completing daily activities, occupational therapy may be a great option for you! From physical rehabilitation to cognitive exercises, OTs offer a wide range of interventions that may help you improve your quality of life.
Pulling from our decades of experience in Cognitive Therapeutics, we aim to help you enrich your practice through the use of digital and paper tools.
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