So what does an OT do anyway?

Over the past two years as I've told people that I'm going to school to become an occupational therapist, I've often been asked, "so what does an OT do anyway?" The question didn't surprise me. After all when I first thought of being involved in some type of therapy I thought of physical therapy and had to do some research to figure out what OT was. Most people haven't heard about it unless they have been on the receiving end of their help. One reason why it is hard to describe what an OT does is because they work in such a variety of situations: in schools, mental health, hospitals, nursing homes, rehab centers and in the community.

It also doesn't help that most people think of an occupation as a job. In my reading it seems that even OTs can't agree on what "occupation" means. After all, a publication put out by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) includes 6 definitions. Despite all that, there are commonalities. Basically an occupation is anything we do that gives meaning and structure to our days. It follows than that an OT helps people do what they feel is important to do. It's the patient or client who sets the agenda and occupation is not only the goal of therapy but also the means. Sometimes exercises and stretching are needed but for the most part an OT session is spent actually engaged in doing something, whether that is bathing and getting dressed or making something to eat in the kitchen. Besides those basic activities of life, occupation also includes rest and sleep, education, work, play, leisure and social interaction. That pretty much covers everything we do. No wonder one of the things most OTs love about their job is the constant variety.