After classes and fieldwork internship are completed, students graduate at their entering college. The OTA courses have both lecture and hands-on laboratory components. Portions of the lecture section of several courses are web-based. The profession tailors rehabilitation individually for each client. Through evaluation and treatment, it seeks to restore or improve function in occupational performance.
Treatment is provided within the context of the client's life environments and relationships.
Occupation may be defined as the ordinary things people do each day to work, to play and to take care of themselves. Occupational therapy is based on the idea that our personal identity and feeling of value is closely tied to what we are able to do. When our function becomes impaired, we may lose both our independence and sense of self-worth. The practice of OT utilizes the therapeutic use of purposeful and meaningful occpations in treatment, as well as focusing on these occupations as the goal of treatment. Occupational therapy assistants, under the supervision of an occupational therapist, will work directly with persons to achieve a maximum level of independent living by developing the capacities that remain after disease, accident or other disability.