THE EVERYDAY QUESTIONS ABOUT OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
As occupational therapists, we get very used to the question “what is occupational therapy”, “how could OT help me” or the best is “how do you help kids if they don’t yet have an occupation.” Occupational therapy is a very unique, and sometimes misunderstood service.
HAPPY OT MONTH
In light of Occupational Therapy Month, we are using this blog post to explain what OT is. At the end, you will know how OT could help you or someone you know and love.
MY WHY?
I am so proud of the profession I am in. I remember hearing about it in high school with two different individuals. The first time I heard of the OT profession was from someone I looked up to greatly, Tammy Handley. She is an occupational therapist and a woman of faith and service. She shared the assistive technology she used to help individuals perform everyday functional tasks. The other person was a teacher who over the summer had a stroke. Even so, he returned to his passion of teaching with the assistance and support of his occupational therapist. With his occupational therapist, they developed strategies for him to still teach.
BUT REALLY, WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?
Still after these two examples, I did not fully understand the profession. I understood that occupational therapists helped individuals do the everyday tasks that are important for them to live a meaningful life. But, what exactly did occupational therapists specialize in?!? How can you know how to do all the occupations?! “Empathy” was one of my first courses in the OT program at Maryville University. This was the class where it clicked and continued to click as we took courses from our remarkable occupational therapy professors at Maryville University.
Yes, Occupational Therapy is therapy designed to help you find priorities, develop skills, and make adjustments that are necessary to live a meaningful life. But even more importantly, what makes OT unique is in how we individualize our approach. We let you tell us what your priorities are. Then, we approach each situation with a well-rounded view of the priorities and needs of you- the person, the tasks you want to do, and the environment you are in. We have trained eyes to break down everyday struggles to find root causes and then find ways to improve your overall quality of life.
WHO & HOW OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS CAN HELP
You will not find two occupational therapists with the same skill set. We have protocols and guidelines that direct us, but the people we work with are the guiding compass. Occupational therapists have a wide variety of populations we can work with- outpatient rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, schools, hospitals, prisons, mental health facilities, homes, nature, and many others.
At Conquer Therapy Services, our occupational therapists specialize in a multitude of skill sets. If you or a child you know is struggling with a skill listed on our services page https://conquertherapyservices.com/occupational-therapy/ , please contact us. Infants through our early adulthood all have very important “occupations”. We have dedicated our careers to learning how to improve each and every one within our scope of practice. If we cannot help you, we will provide you resources and guidance to find the help that you need.