What
is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is skilled treatment that helps
individuals achieve independence in all facets of
their lives. It gives people the "skills for
the job of living" necessary for independent
and satisfying lives. Services typically include:
-
Customized treatment programs to improve one's
ability to perform daily activities
-
Comprehensive home and job site evaluations with
adaptation recommendations
-
Performance skills assessments and treatment
-
Adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training
-
Guidance to family members and caregivers
About
Occupational Therapy Practitioners
Occupational therapy practitioners are skilled professionals
whose education includes the study of human growth
and development with specific emphasis on the social,
emotional, and physiological effects of illness
and injury.
The occupational therapist enters the field with
a bachelors, masters, or doctoral degree. The occupational
therapy assistant generally earns an associate degree.
Practitioners must complete supervised clinical
internships in a variety of health care settings,
and pass a national examination. Most states also
regulate occupational therapy practice.
Who
Benefits From Occupational Therapy?
A wide variety of people can benefit from occupational
therapy, including those with
-
work-related injuries including lower back problems
or repetitive stress injuries
-
limitations following a stroke or heart attack
-
arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or other serious
chronic conditions
-
birth injuries, learning problems, or developmental
disabilities
-
mental health or behavioral problems including
Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic
stress
-
problems with substance use or eating disorders
-
burns, spinal cord injuries, or amputations
-
broken bones or other injuries from falls, sports
injuries, or accidents
- vision
or cognitive problems that threaten their ability
to drive
Click
on the bookmark images to view and/or download additional
information about our Master's of Occupational Therapy
Program at the Grand Forks campus of UND or our satellite
program in Casper, Wyoming.
Source:
AOTA (www.aota.org)
Retrieved January 27, 2005.
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