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What is OT? Online Discussion Group
Occupational Therapy (OT) is a holistic health profession that studies the dynamic interaction
between people, their occupations, and within their environment. OT learns both the science,
and the art to enable clients to live more satisfying and meaningful lives by addressing how
those clients "occupy" their time. We believe that people are healthiest when they are
satisfactorily engaged in the meaningful activities of everyday living, what we call occupations.
The therapist and client collaborate in assessing, utilizing and adapting everyday activities to
enhance the client's ability to engage competently in meaningful activities, including looking
after oneself (self-care), re-energizing (leisure), and contributing socially and economically
within the community (productivity). Occupational therapists learn to apply critical reasoning
skills to creatively solve problems facing their clients whose quality of life is threatened by
interruptions in daily occupation caused by injury, disease, or environmental challenges (such as
poverty, deprivation, or conflict).
Occupational therapists work with people across the life span in variety of settings.
Occupational therapists are currently employ in inpatient hospitals, outpatient (hand or sport
injury related clinics), public schools systems, pediatric hospitals, trauma centers, burn centers,
Skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and long term care facilities. OT profession is thriving to
go into more innovative directions. For example, the following new markets for OT services
are emerging as a result of current events, legislative action and professional advocacy.
· Ergonomics consulting
· Driver Rehabilitation and Training
· Home Design and Accessibility Consulting
· Low Vision Services
· Private Practice Community Health Services
· Technology and Assistive Device Development and Consulting
· Welfare to Work Program
· Health and Wellness Consulting
· Children and Youth Community Mental Health Services
U.S. Department of Labor forecasts that from 2002-2008, the need for occupational therapists
will grow significantly faster than the average growth for all occupations. Salaries can vary
according to geographic region and demand for service. Next Page!
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