Author: Rebecca O'Callaghan, M.S., OTRL, SWC

What is Occupational Therapy?

What is occupational therapy (OT)? I get asked this question A LOT. And in many respects this is a complex profession that has many branches and facets to the organization. We are everywhere in your community, but no one really knows exactly what it is that we do. So let me clear up some confusion and explain. Occupational therapists work with individuals across the life span to participate in daily "occupations" that are both purposeful and meaningful to them. But what does that mean, "occupations"? So you help people find a job? Well no, not exactly. In fact, I'm going to help you to do whatever it is in your daily life that gives you purpose and meaning. For some that may include work, but for many it is so much more.

Occupational therapy originated in the 1910s as a means to help soldiers of WWI recover from the physical and mental injuries of war. In fact, occupational therapists, at the time were known as "reconstructions aides". In these early years of the profession's development, reconstruction aides went against the current medical model and community of thought in medicine at the time, to bring forth the idea that a holistic healing of the mind, body, and spirit was necessary for these soldiers recovering from the physical and mental injuries of war. Over the next several years, occupational therapy developed formally as a profession bringing along with it "principles and practices [from a variety of disciplines and social movements including] nursing, teaching, medicine, psychiatry, arts and crafts, rehabilitation, self-help, orthopedics, mental hygiene, social work, and more..." (Quiroga, 1995, p.14). Occupational therapy was officially founded as a profession in 1917 but it was not until the 1950s that occupational therapy was used in pediatric practice (AOTA, 2017) (but more on that later!). 

Occupations are at the core of our profession, hence the name. We are skilled in the study of occupations and the ability to take apart and then put back together every aspect of ANY daily task you do. We specialize in looking at the whole person including strengths and areas of need, the requirements for participation in the desired occupation, and the environment in which the occupation takes place. From there, we work to connect all of these together to help you with successful participation.

Think about all the things you do every single day...the little things that we may take for granted, like making a cup of coffee, taking a shower and getting dressed, making and eating a meal, or cleaning the house (hey, we are all adulting here!). And the big things...go to a family member's birthday celebration or family holiday, do an activity with friends, or participate in work (see there it is!). Could you imagine, NOT being able to do these things and how that would make you feel? This is exactly why we have occupational therapy.

Successful participation in occupations leads into a life that gives you purpose and meaning and helps you to fulfill those roles. The roles we choose for ourselves may be many over the course of a lifetime. A few examples of some roles that may apply for you... parent, husband/wife/partner, family member (e.g., daughter/son, brother/sister, aunt/uncle, cousin, niece/nephew, granddaughter/grandson), friend, co-worker, or community member. Each of these roles will be unique for everyone as the level of importance, significance, and meaning will be varied from person to person. But what is important, is that you are living your life with purpose and meaning to the fullest extent possible. And that, is the importance of occupational therapy and why many of us in the profession feel called to this role.

For more inspiration, check out this video on how occupational therapy helps people to find meaning and purpose in everyday life (AOTA, 2017). 

References