Occupational therapy practitioners work with people of all ages who, because of illness, injury, or developmental or psychological impairment, need specialized assistance in learning skills to enable them to lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives. Occupational therapy can prevent injury or the worsening of existing conditions or disabilities and it promotes independent functioning in individuals who may otherwise require institutionalization or other long-term care. Because of this, occupational therapy keeps health care costs down and maximizes the quality of life for the individual, their family, and other caregivers. OTs help you figure out what to do when you get there. Physical therapy deals with the realm of movement, ambulation, and range of muscle motion.
Occupational therapy concentrates on the activities that occupy people.
For an adult, this could be anything from leisure-time activities to homemaking to work. For children, it involves school and learning activities. In addition to dealing with an individual's physical well-being, occupational therapy practitioners address psychological, social, and environmental factors that may impede independent functioning in all aspects of life. This unique perspective makes occupational therapy a critically important part of a health care program. About one-third of all OTs work with children and about half of that number work in school systems, typically working with children with disabilities.