WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?

Occupational therapy is a treatment for children and adults who need to develop, recover or maintain daily living and work skills. A healthcare provider may prescribe occupational therapy for a variety of persons, including:

persons who are injured at work, while playing sports, in an accident or a fall
persons who have had a heart attack or stroke
persons with vision problems
persons with mental or behavioral problems or
persons with learning or developmental problems

The occupational therapist is the healthcare team member who helps the person re-learn or learn new skills. The therapist works closely with other team members to determine which therapy is best for the patient. Therapies may be aimed at improving physical and mental development or using alternative solutions, such as assistive devices, to carry out daily activities. The goal of therapy is for the person to become more independent in their daily activities.

The occupational therapist may evaluate the home or work environment to determine the best treatment plan and if the person will need any assistive devices. The therapist also works closely with family members and caregivers so they can be of help to the person after returning home.

If you have any questions about the need for occupational therapy, ask your healthcare provider.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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