Contrary to the popular definition of “occupation”, an occupational therapist is not someone who counsels people on their career paths. Rather, occupational therapy refers to the everyday activities of a person such as eating, writing, or socializing. The goal of this type of therapist is to facilitate development, recovery, or improvement of a certain set of skills. It is a flexible career in healthcare that allows a practitioner to work with patients from a variety of backgrounds, circumstances, and ages while taking an individualized approach to each patient.
Under the broad scope of occupational therapy, a therapist may encounter the following patients:
Babies and toddlers: Occupational therapists provide early intervention therapies to the youngest members of society who have, or are at risk of having, a developmental delay. They begin by observing the child throughout the day in his or her home. The therapists may then suggest modifications, such as adjusting the height of a high chair to promote self-feeding, altering the bedtime routine, or engaging the child and family in playtime in order to create a healthy bond between all members of the family.
Children with special needs or developmental disabilities: Occupational therapists work alongside these patients in a school setting to help them participate fully in the activities. Tasks may include evaluating a patient’s abilities, modifying classroom equipment to accommodate disabilities, or providing general assistance. For example, a child with autism may require assistance engaging in social activities and playtime with peers.
Patients who have suffered a traumatic injury: Individuals who have suffered a traumatic brain injury may see an occupational therapist to help them recover skills that were damaged as a result of the injury.
Image Source: Phil Fisk
The elderly: Aging results in many physical ailments that hinder an individual’s ability to best perform everyday activities. An example of such an ailment is arthritis.
The everyday duties of this profession can vary greatly depending on the patient, so an occupational therapist can choose to work with a wide range of patients or elect to hone in on a certain demographic. In order to become an occupational therapist, an interested individual must receive at minimum a master’s degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program. Admission to these programs require specific undergraduate coursework in biology and physiology and often also require related volunteer work. After obtaining a master’s degree, the next step is to become board certified. After certification, occupational therapists can choose their desired workplace, whether it be a hospital, a school, or nursing home, and begin to work with the corresponding set of patients. Patience, compassion, and flexibility are important traits for those seeking a career in occupational therapy. And for those who are successful in becoming occupational therapists, a rewarding, challenging, and fulfilling career awaits them.
nice
Good post