What do occupational therapists do

Occupational therapy can help babies, infants, children and young people grow, learn, have fun, socialise and play so they can develop, thrive and reach their full potential. Occupational therapy enables people to participate in daily life to improve their health and wellbeing. Daily life is made up of many activities or occupations.

Occupations for children or young people may include self-care getting ready to go out, eating a meal, using the toilet , being productive going to nursery or school, or volunteering and leisure - playing with friends or doing hobbies. Occupational therapy can help people with a physical disability, including those who may have undergone an amputation, to pursue daily activities and favourite hobbies.

Occupational therapists support people with all types of learning disabilities to help them continue with life skills, work and leisure activities as independently as possible. They will:. Occupational therapists help people to develop a personally satisfying routine of everyday activities that creates a sense of purpose and enhances the person's recovery journey. Occupational therapists can help older people to continue doing the daily activities that maintain their health and wellbeing and are important to them.

Find out more. Toggle navigation. How do I find an OT? How does occupational therapy help? A day in the life of an occupational therapist: An occupational therapist will try to find out why a client cannot do what they would like or need to do. An OT may check: Your physical abilities like strength, balance and coordination Your mental abilities like memory, coping strategies, organizational skills What materials or devices you use to participate in activities like furniture, utensils, tools or clothes What social and emotional support is available to you at home, school, work or in the community, and The physical setup of your house, classroom, workplace or other environment Depending on what the problem is, the occupational therapist can help you solve it by: 1.

Helping you overcome your disability. As rates vary therapist to therapist, consumers are encouraged to make contact and discuss costs with their therapist before engaging their services. Please talk to your doctor if you need to be referred through these schemes. Occupational therapy is a client-centred health profession that involves ongoing assessments to understand what activities you can do and those you want to do. Occupational therapists work with people across the lifespan in a range of settings.

This includes hospitals, rehabilitation centres, private practices, aged care facilities, schools, community health centres and government organisations. Forgotten Password? Join Occupational Therapy Australia. Join the peak body representing Australian OTs and gain access to exclusive benefits to support and progress your professional career. OTA provides members with access to valuable services and resources, designed to promote professional excellence.

Occupational Therapy Australia aims to provide accessible and relevant professional education and resources for the ot profession throughout Australia.