Professional Associations Occupational therapists provide services to those individuals whose ability to cope with activities of daily living are impaired by physical illness or injury, psychological disorder, congenital or developmental disability, or the aging process.
Therapists use several types of activities to evaluate and treat patients.
With children, they may use toys and games. In treating adults, the therapists may use computers, work simulation, leisure activities, self-care tasks, and other methods. The effectiveness of the activity and progress of the patient are carefully monitored and recorded by occupational therapists. Therapists provide adaptive equipment when needed such as wheelchairs, splints, and eating and dressing aids. They also work with rehabilitation engineers to design special equipment or develop computer-aided equipment for use in the home, at work, or in school.