Occupational therapists help people perform daily tasks across their lifespan to live a healthy and happy life. We focus on ‘occupations’ which have multiple meanings. For children, their main occupation is playing along with dressing/grooming/feeding skills, writing, socializing, and many more.
- Occupational therapy’s first meeting was held in 1917 by the National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy (NSPOT) where 3 women and 3 men attended.
- OT began to thrive during World War I and World War II where the US Military began recognizing the benefit of using “reconstruction aids” who would use occupation as a means of treatment for wounded soldiers to return to the battlefront.
- To become an OT, you must earn your Master’s degree from an accredited school and pass the national board exam. Doctoral programs are now rising and can specialize in different practice areas including, sensory integration, hand therapy, assistive technology, low vision, and environmental modifications.
- Occupational therapy is ranked #10 as the best health care job by US News and World Report in 2021.
- Approximately 27% of occupational therapists work with children in early intervention and the school systems.
- Occupational therapists and physical therapists are different but work closely together. Physical therapy involves focusing on movement and regaining strength after an injury. Occupational therapy focuses on increasing independence to complete daily activities.
- The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2017.
- Occupational therapist work with a wide range of diagnoses for children including Autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, traumatic brain injuries, premature infants, and many more.
- Pediatric occupational therapists play all day long! We have the enthusiasm and playful personalities that allow fun and success to thrive in sessions. You can always find us playing with playdough, coloring pictures, or doing puzzles.
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