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:: What is... Occupational Therapy? Occupational
therapy is a health profession concerned with promoting health and
well-being through occupation. Occupation refers to everything that
people do during the course of everyday life (CAOT Position Statement
on Everyday Occupations and Health, 2003). The primary goal of occupational
therapy is to enable people to participate in the occupations which
give meaning and purpose to their lives. Occupational therapists
have a broad education that provides them with the skills and knowledge
to work collaboratively with people of all ages and abilities that
experience obstacles to participation. These obstacles may result
from a change in function (thinking, doing, feeling) because of
illness or disability, and/or barriers in the social, institutional
or and physical environment. :: Responsibilities/Activities Occupational therapists use a systematic approach based on evidence and professional reasoning to enable individuals, groups and communities to develop the means and opportunities to identify, engage in and improve their function in the occupations of life. The process involves assessment, intervention and evaluation of the client related to occupational performance in self-care, work, study, volunteerism and leisure. Occupational therapists may assume different roles such as advising on health risks in the workplace, safe driving for older adults, and programs to promote mental health for youth. Occupational therapists also perform functions as manager, researcher, program developer or educator in addition to the direct delivery of professional services. :: Practice Settings Occupational therapists are generally employed in community agencies, health care organizations such as hospitals, chronic care facilities, rehabilitation centres and clinics, schools; social agencies industry or are self-employed. Some occupational therapists specialize in working with a specific age group or disability such as arthritis, developmental coordination disorder, mental illness, or spinal cord injury. ***** For more information, please visit the official website of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)
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