Occupational therapy is a profession that supports people to be active participants in society, achieving their full potential. It works closely with other health and community services, aiming to help individuals participate in life while they develop and maintain important social roles. Occupational therapists also promote independence and self-determined living through meaningful work activities that are associated with self-esteem, social networks, and personal growth. Since its inception in 1917, occupational therapy has grown to include activities of daily living, such as work and play, as well as basic hygiene and academic success. The phrase "occupation" refers to any activity that a person wants to or must engage in, not only their work.
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), occupational therapy is a health discipline that focuses on fostering health and well-being via participation in fulfilling jobs. The routine activities in which we all engage are referred to as occupations. Enabling people to participate in daily tasks that they need, want, or are expected to perform is the primary purpose of occupational therapy. These are pursuits that are meaningful and valuable to the person. Through the use of activities during the diagnostic and treatment phases, occupational therapists may help people achieve the degree of independence they seek, whether that independence is being developed, improved, maintained, or returned.
According to the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy [NBCOT], certified practitioners who have the knowledge, clinical reasoning skills, and decision-making abilities linked to occupational performance provide occupational therapy services. In addition to having a thorough grasp of anatomy, neurophysiology, development, social processes, personality, and medical issues, occupational therapists also need to be well-versed in the nature of jobs (Hooper & Wood, 2014).
Patients of occupational therapy are usually categorized as persons (including those caring for the client), groups (array of individuals having shared characteristics or a common or shared purpose; for example, family members, employees, students, people of similar interests or occupational challenges), and populations (groups of people with shared contexts, characteristics, or concerns, including health risks).
Humans are occupational beings − For humans to exist, grow, and maintain their health and well-being, they need to have a professional life.
Humans are interconnected with environments − Settings must be taken into account since humans can only be understood in the context of their environments.
Human transformation comes from actions and environments − Due to their behaviors and the changes in their surroundings, humans change continually over time. In terms of meaning, contentment, well-being, and quality of life, health is viewed as a dynamic condition.
The foundation of occupational therapy's vision is the conviction that therapeutic occupations may alleviate disease and enhance, maintain, or restore health. This vision incorporates the following practice −
Occupation-based − Occupational therapists employ these activities as therapies by concentrating on what a person wants, needs, or is required to perform. The emphasis is on challenges and experiences related to occupational performance, which integrates the notion that people are dynamic occupational beings who are tied to their settings.
Client–Centered − To comprehend a person's growth through time and to explore meaningful and interesting jobs and surroundings, occupational therapists work with the individual. These jobs might provide therapeutic opportunities. Because it emphasizes the connection and the needs of the individual rather than just the professional's competence, this is sometimes referred to as client-centered or person-centered practice.
Contextual − Through employment, meanings, roles, and routines, occupational therapists perceive people as being interconnected with their environments. This may affect how well abilities translate to other situations. All contexts must be taken into account, including the person's living and service settings.
Evidence-based − The focus of occupational therapists' education is on understanding occupations, even if they study a range of subjects. Occupational therapists must be able to combine the information and evidence required for each set since the application of this knowledge depends on the user and the circumstance. This involves incorporating new research as it emerges and changes in the field of application.
Have you or a member of your family ever received a new medical diagnosis and wondered, "Now what?" Maybe you have an autistic kid who struggles in school, an elderly parent who wants to live at home but you are concerned about safety, or you are depressed and find it difficult to carry out daily tasks. Your "now what?" dilemma can be resolved with the aid of occupational therapy. An occupational therapist will maintain the focus on the activities, goals, and independence that you need and desire to perform. Occupational therapy services allow you to −
Obtain objectives, such as assisting your adolescent child with a developmental impairment in acquiring the skills necessary to make the transition from high school to independent adult living.
Maintaining optimal health and performance while treating a chronic medical condition.
Maintain or regain your independence by employing aids to help you after a stroke so that you can take care of yourself.
Take part in the daily pursuits that are essential to you, such as driving, visiting friends, attending church, and other community-building activities.
In conclusion, a practitioner of occupational therapy can assist you in living life to the fullest regardless of your health status, disability, or risk factors.
People of all ages may participate in the activities they need and desire to via occupational therapy. An occupational therapist will assess your circumstances and, in collaboration with you (and maybe your family, care provider, or friend), will create personalized objectives that enable you to restart or pursue your desired employment. You will collaborate on a particular intervention plan to help enhance or maintain your capacity to carry out everyday tasks and achieve your goals for returning to your life once you and your occupational therapist have developed your goals.
Occupational therapists can broaden their practice to include groups or communities as well, creating and implementing initiatives that encourage positive behaviors or address specific issues like older driving, community reintegration for soldiers returning from combat, homelessness, troubled youth, mental health, and addictions.
Occupational therapy is all about enabling individuals to engage in the activities that they need and/or enjoy. By creating engaging apps, occupational therapists can help patients have fun while exercising and challenging themselves at the same time. Occupational therapy app developers are increasingly taking well-known games and turning them into digital therapeutic tools. Let's hope these games catch on and provide a way for children and adults alike to experience their favorite activities virtually, even if they aren't able to do so physically.
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