Occupational Therapy Month
April 2005

About
Occupational Therapy
Who Benefits
Mental Health and Occupational Therapy

What is Occupational Therapy Month?

Each April, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and students in practice, education, research, and science host a month long celebration to showcase the importance of occupational therapy. The celebration, sponsored by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), seeks to raise awareness of the role that occupational therapists play in helping individuals learn or relearn how to participate in daily activities and lead purposeful lives.
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What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy promotes the health and well being of individuals who have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling by helping them to improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. This type of therapy assists individuals in performing activities of all types, ranging from using a computer to caring for daily needs such as dressing, cooking, and eating. Occupational therapy helps individuals to improve their basic motor functions and reasoning abilities, and also to compensate for permanent loss of function. An occupational therapy plan is tailored to each individual’s stage of development, habits, roles, lifestyle preferences, and environment. Occupational therapy is practiced in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, physicians’ offices, clinics, daycare and rehabilitation centers, homes, workplaces, schools, and elderly care facilities. The goal of occupational therapy is to help individuals lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives.
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Who can benefit from occupational therapy?

Persons with permanent disabilities, such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy, can be helped with occupational therapy. Therapists instruct these individuals in the use of adaptive equipment, including wheelchairs, splints, and aids for eating and dressing. Therapists may also design or make special equipment needed by these persons at home or at work.

Individuals whose ability to function in a work environment has been impaired, due to a health condition or injury, can also benefit from occupational therapy. Therapists arrange employment, evaluate the work environment, plan work activities, and assess the client’s progress. Therapists also may work with the client and the employer to modify the work environment when necessary.

Children also receive help from occupational therapists. Therapists who work in schools, for example, help children face physical, cognitive, and mental health problems that affect their school performance, social skills, and health. These therapists evaluate children’s abilities, recommend and provide therapy, modify classroom equipment, and help children participate as fully as possible in school programs and activities. Occupational therapy also can benefit the aging population. Therapists use a variety of methods to help older adults maintain or regain their independence and lead more productive and active lives for as long as possible, preferably in their own homes.
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How can occupational therapy help persons with mental health problems?

Occupational therapists in mental health settings treat individuals with mental illness and serious emotional disturbances. To treat these problems, therapists choose activities that help people learn to engage in and cope with daily life. Activities include time management skills, budgeting, shopping, homemaking, and the use of public transportation. Occupational therapy can be particularly helpful for persons diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, learning disabilities, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. Occupational therapists also may work with individuals who are dealing with alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, eating disorders, or stress-related disorders.
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