Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists are licensed rehabilitation care professionals who work to restore or improve physical abilities, promote behavioral changes, adapt surroundings, and teach new skills; the goal is to have the individual achieve her or his best physical and/or mental functioning in daily life tasks. Occupational therapists provide these services on the referral or prescription of a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner.
Occupational
therapy assistants provide treatment according to a plan developed
by or in collaboration with a licensed occupational therapist. They must
work under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist or a licensed
physician.
Occupational therapy practitioners help people adapt to a variety
of challenges:
- developmental disabilities
- learning disabilities
- job-related injuries
- neurological problems
- orthopedic injuries
- birth defects
- stroke
- psychosocial disorders
- chemical dependency
- age-related disorders
They help with:
- impaired physical functioning which hampers the ability to perform daily life tasks
- psychosocial problems which hamper the ability to function in daily life
- special needs which require modification of the physical environment and/or use of specialized equipment and technologies (e.g., changes in the home or job site for a person in a wheelchair)
