What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a healthcare profession focused on helping people of all ages do the things
they need and want to do in their daily lives—despite illness, injury, disability, or other challenges.

What does Occupational Therapy do?

Occupational Therapists help individuals improve their ability to perform daily activities, also called activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). These include:

• Self-care: dressing, bathing, grooming, toileting

• Home management: cooking, cleaning, laundry

• Work tasks: using a computer, writing, lifting

• School participation: handwriting, classroom skills

• Leisure and hobbies: gardening, crafting, sports

• Community involvement: shopping, driving, using public transport

Occupational Therapists work on a wide range of issues, including:

• Fine motor skills (grasping, writing, buttoning clothes)

• Cognitive function (memory, attention, problem-solving)

• Visual-perceptual skills (hand-eye coordination, depth perception)

• Sensory integration (managing responses to sensory input)

• Mental health (coping skills, emotional regulation)

• Energy conservation for people with chronic illness or fatigue

Occupational Therapists work on a wide range of issues, including:

• Develops personalized treatment plans based on your goals and daily routines

• Teaches adaptive techniques and modifies environments (like home or workspaces)

• Trains patients to use assistive devices (grabbers, modified utensils, dressing aids)

• Helps patients regain independence after injury, stroke, surgery, or illness

• Provides caregiver education and strategies for supportive care

Who can benefit from Occupational Therapy?

People of all ages, including those with:

• Stroke or brain injury

• Arthritis or chronic pain

• Developmental delays or autism

• Mental health conditions

• Spinal cord injuries

• Parkinson’s disease or dementia

• Hand injuries or surgeries