Many people have heard of occupational therapists or as they like to say "OT's." While people have heard of this profession, they don't seem to fully understand this discipline and what being an occupational therapist entails. To start off with, Occupational Therapy (OT) is a health care profession that focuses on the relationship between humans and their "occupations." Occupations are considered to be the activities you participate in on a daily basis. Many people take their daily occupations for granted and don't realize the significance of them until a loss or deficit is experienced. Our occupations give meaning to our lives and include everything from brushing your teeth to helping someone regain their independence after a traumatic event. The ultimate goal of occupational therapy is to promote the "health and participation of people, organizations, and populations through engagement in occupation" (Occupatioanl Therapy Practice Framework [OTPF], 2008). The practitioners responsible for promoting this engagement are called Occupational Therapists.
Occupational Therapy is a profession that utilizes information from the academic discipline of Occupational Science. Occupational Science focuses on the study of humans as occupational beings. "Occupational science addresses the centrality of engagement in occupations and in human life, particularly as they relate to health and well being, and social participation" (Crepeau, Cohn, Boyt-Schnell, 2009).
Click on the link below to hear all about occupational therapy in an interview with two OT practitioners.
Interview Podcast
Interview Podcast
Reading about occupational therapy is enlightening! It's about restoring not just function, but dignity and joy in everyday life. The mention of Albury Wodonga occupational therapy reminds me of the importance of local expertise in understanding community needs. Let's continue to spread awareness and appreciation for the transformative impact of occupational therapy on individuals and communities alike.
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