An occupational therapist is a health care professional who helps people with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities to participate in daily activities. They work with patients to improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily life.
The field of occupational therapy is one that is constantly evolving. As our population ages, there is an increasing need for therapists who can help people maintain their independence and quality of life. Occupational therapists are trained to assess a person’s abilities and limitations and then develop a treatment plan to help them regain or improve their ability to perform everyday activities.
One of the most important roles of an occupational therapist is to help people adapt to changes in their lives that may be caused by illness, injury, or simply the aging process. For example, someone who has suffered a stroke may need help relearning how to perform basic tasks like dressing or eating. An occupational therapist can also provide guidance on how to use adaptive equipment or make modifications to the home environment to facilitate independent living.
In addition to working with individuals, occupational therapists also play an important role in community outreach. They may provide education on fall prevention for seniors or ergonomic tips for workers who spend long hours at a computer. They may also offer workshops on stress management or time management for busy families.
By sharing their knowledge and expertise, occupational therapists can help people live healthier, more productive lives.
The hidden magic of Occupational Therapy | Jill Martin | TEDxYouth@Haileybury
What Exactly Does an Occupational Therapist Do?
An occupational therapist is a healthcare professional who helps people with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities to participate in daily activities. They work with patients of all ages and from all walks of life.
Occupational therapists use a variety of methods to help their patients improve their ability to perform everyday tasks.
These methods may include:
-Assisting patients with exercises that improve strength, coordination, and flexibility
-Using adaptive equipment to enable patients to perform tasks more independently
-Teaching patients new ways to complete tasks that are difficult for them
What is the Difference between Ot And Pt?
There are a few key differences between occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT). OT focuses on helping people with daily activities, while PT helps people recover from injuries or manage chronic conditions. Both therapies can involve exercises, but the exercises OT clients do are usually aimed at improving their ability to perform everyday tasks, while PT clients typically do exercises that are designed to improve their strength, range of motion, and balance.
In addition, OT often includes the use of adaptive equipment and environmental modifications to make activities easier for clients, while PT generally does not. Finally, OT clients are often involved in treatment for longer periods of time than PT clients because they may need more help relearning how to do everyday activities.
What are the 8 Occupations of Occupational Therapy?
The eight occupations of occupational therapy are: self-care, productivity, leisure, education and play, social participation, sleep and rest, communication and sensory processing.
Self-care occupation refers to the daily activities that a person must do to take care of themselves such as bathing, dressing, grooming and eating. Productivity occupation includes activities that a person does to contribute to society such as paid work, homemaking/childrearing and volunteering.
Leisure occupation encompasses the free time pursuits a person chooses to engage in for enjoyment such as hobbies, clubs/organizations and recreational activities. Education and play occupation relate to the learning opportunities available to children through school and playtime experiences. Social participation involves interacting with others in various settings such as at home, work or in the community.
Sleep and rest occupation includes both the physical need for adequate sleep as well as relaxation/de-stressing techniques. Communication occupation encompasses all forms of expression including verbal, nonverbal (e.g., sign language) and written methods.
What is an Example of Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is a type of rehabilitation that helps people recovering from injuries and illnesses regain the ability to perform everyday activities. The goal of occupational therapy is to enable patients to live as independently as possible.
An example of occupational therapy would be working with a patient who has suffered a stroke.
The therapist would help the patient regain the use of their affected arm and leg, as well as improve their cognitive skills and fine motor skills.
Credit: creakyjoints.org
Occupational Therapy Salary
If you are considering a career in occupational therapy, you may be wondering about the average occupational therapy salary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for occupational therapists was $85,000 in May 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $57,000, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $122,000.
There are many factors that can affect an occupational therapist’s salary, such as experience, education level, geographic location, and type of employer. For example, those who work in hospitals tend to earn more than those who work in private practices. And those who have advanced degrees and/or specialty certifications may also earn higher salaries.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in occupational therapy, be sure to do your research to learn more about the average salary for this profession. With hard work and dedication, you could soon be earning a comfortable wage in this rewarding field!
Conclusion
According to the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), occupational therapy is “the only profession that helps people across the lifespan to do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations).”
In other words, occupational therapists help people of all ages live their lives more independently by teaching them how to complete everyday tasks in a more efficient way. They also work with patients who have mental health conditions or developmental disabilities.
Occupational therapists typically have a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy, although some may have a master’s degree. In order to become certified, they must pass an exam administered by the NBCOT.