What is occupational therapy (OT)?

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Occupational Therapy (OT for short) can vary a lot depending on which field the OT works in. OT's can work in the community, hospitals, and work with people of all ages. You can find OTs working in child development and disability services, as hand therapists, in soft tissue clinics, workers (vocational) rehabilitation & more.

In Australia, OT's study at least a four year bachelor of science degree at university, or a masters in OT. We study anatomy and physiology, paediatrics (kids), gerontology (older adults), mental health conditions, physical health conditions, rehabilitation & more.

OT's study how factors to do with a person (such as their mental or physical health) and their environment (such as the physical environment that you live in, and the people around you) impact on your participation and functioning in everyday life. 

Overall, OT's are trained to work with you about any challenges that you might be having, potentially due to a physical challenge, mental health challenge, neurodivergent way of operating in the world, or the environment around you. We listen to what is important to you, and support you to establish goal(s) around what you would like to be able to do in your life. We work together to support you to achieve these goals. 

OT's are focussed on people being able to do the things in their life that are meaningful to them, to promote self-esteem and quality of life. 

OTs can work in a "top down" or "bottom up" approach. A "top down" approach is where we can use activities that are meaningful to the individual to build their skills. For example, using the activity of cooking to build hand grip strength through stirring. 

A "bottom up" approach works on the prerequisite skills and works towards being able to complete an activity. Such as practicing how to write and/or type, to support someone being able to complete their schoolwork. 

OT's call daily activities the "occupations" of everyday life. It might be helpful to think of OT as "rehabilitation therapy", or "life skills therapy".

OT is wonderfully broad which means we get to work on nearly any activity that someone does in their day. From school tasks, eating, dressing, showering, toileting, work, study, social skills and relationships, driving, catching public transport... you name it, we work on it. However some therapists are particularly interested and may have done additional studies in working in some areas more than others - best just to ask the question and see what their professional interests and experiences are.

Last but not least, "occupation" does not equal "work". Confusingly, some OT's do work in vocational rehabilitation, 

I work with a wonderfully broad range of clients in terms of their presentations and ages. Some people may be experiencing some challenges, such as a primary school student having some challenges with fine motor skills and handwriting. Others may have diagnosed conditions or disabilities. For example, someone may be finding that their Autism/ ADHD executive functioning skills and sensory sensitivities may be getting in the way of their ability to eat, socialise, work & more. 

I always speak with the individual (and/or or their parent/ guardian) to determine what is going on for you, what is the most important thing that you would like to work on together, and support you to work towards that goal in a way that empowers you and honours your expertise in your body and life.