What is Occupational Therapy?
The World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) defines Occupational Therapy as “a profession concerned with promoting health and well being through occupation. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by enabling people to do things that will enhance their ability to participate or by modifying the environment to better support participation. Occupational Therapy is practiced in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, health centres, and homes. Clients are actively involved in the therapeutic process and outcomes of occupational therapy are diverse, client-driven and measured in terms of participation or satisfaction derived from participation.” WFOT Council Meeting, 2004.
See pictures from the American Occupational Therapy Foundation's 2005 Photo Contest.
What is Occupational Science?
Occupational Science is a basic science, using both qualitative and quantitative methods of inquiry, dedicated to study of human occupation and the understanding and the human as an occupational being, as defined by the Canadian Society of Occupational Science (CSOS) and the Journal of Occupational Science (JOS). It is a relatively new area of inquiry, having emerged in the late 1980s, which supports the practice and study of occupational therapy.
What do Occupational Therapists do?
Occupational Therapist’s roles differ somewhat based on the health population they are working with and the setting. However, all OT’s work to enable their client’s optimal participation in activities of daily living.
Find out about a day in the life of an Occupational Therapist who works in:
