Occupational Therapy
"The world is full of suffering.It is also full of overcoming it." - Helen Keller
Occupational therapy is the assessment and treatment of physical and psychiatric conditions using specific activity to prevent disability and promote independent function in all aspects of daily life.
Occupational therapists work with people of all ages to help them overcome the effects of disability caused by physical or psychological illness, ageing or accident. The profession offers enormous opportunities for career development and endless variety.
Being a registered occupational therapist takes patience, ingenuity, determination, common sense, a sound knowledge base and enthusiasm. Most of all, it requires an interest in working closely with people to enable them to lead full and satisfying lives as independently as possible.
Occupational therapists work in hospital and various community settings. They may visit clients and their carers at home to monitor their progress. When a course of therapy is completed, the therapist will analyse how effective it has been.
Because of the rising need for occupational therapists,many facilities are opting for travel occupational therapists—who are willing to travel, often out of state, to work temporarily in a facility. Assignments may run as short as 8 weeks or as long as 9 months, but typically last 13–26 weeks in length.
Occupational therapists work with people of all ages to help them overcome the effects of disability caused by physical or psychological illness, ageing or accident. The profession offers enormous opportunities for career development and endless variety.
Being a registered occupational therapist takes patience, ingenuity, determination, common sense, a sound knowledge base and enthusiasm. Most of all, it requires an interest in working closely with people to enable them to lead full and satisfying lives as independently as possible.
Occupational therapists work in hospital and various community settings. They may visit clients and their carers at home to monitor their progress. When a course of therapy is completed, the therapist will analyse how effective it has been.
Because of the rising need for occupational therapists,many facilities are opting for travel occupational therapists—who are willing to travel, often out of state, to work temporarily in a facility. Assignments may run as short as 8 weeks or as long as 9 months, but typically last 13–26 weeks in length.
Is occupational therapy the same as physical therapy?
No, they are not the same.
Think of the physical therapist (PT) as someone who helps people with problems related to posture and mobility (problems with strength, flexibility, balance, etc.).
The occupational therapist (OT) helps people of all ages (from newborns to older adults) who have an illness or disability to do those things that are important and meaningful to them such as eating, dressing, school activities, and work. The OT helps by making changes in any of the things that may limit an individual's ability to do those tasks, including the environment, the task, or the person's skills needed for the task. OTs also have the knowledge and training to work with people with a mental illness or emotional problem such as depression and/or stress.
In general, PTs and OTs use many of the same techniques but the goals are different.