10 Things to Know about Occupational Therapy
- Gabrielle de Villers
- May 18, 2016
- 2 min read
1. Occupational therapy is an “integral component of all health care, educational, welfare, wellness and social systems that support those with disabling conditions and the poor and disenfranchised members of our society” (Trinidad and Tobago Occupational Therapy Association, 2014).
2. Occupational Therapy is a client-centred health profession which promotes health and well-being through occupation (World Federation of Occupational Therapists, 2012).
3. Sine 2010, Occupational therapists (OTs) must have a master’s degree for entry-level practice (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2016). The University of the Southern Caribbean (Trinidad) will be the first university in the Caribbean to offer a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (first cohort will begin in September 2016).
4. In Barbados, certified OTs need to register under the Paramedical Association Council of Barbados.
5. The main goal of occupational therapy is to enable people of all ages to participate and enjoy meaningful and purposeful daily life activities (Bazyk & Case-Smith, 2010).
6. Services generally include individualized evaluations and treatment programmes, adaptations and modifications, teaching, and counselling.
7. OTs are generally employed in community agencies, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, clinics, schools, social agencies, industry, or are self-employed (Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists [CAOT], 2016).
8. OTs work in close collaboration with doctors, nurses, social workers, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, families, teachers and other support workers (CAOT, 2016).
9. OTs involved with children with disabilities focus on a broad range of occupational performance areas such as activities of daily living, education, social participation, play, leisure and work (Bazyk & Case-Smith, 2010).
10. The OT is often the first professional you will need to consult when a child shows delays in mastering daily activities (self-help, fine motor, gross motor, play, organisation). Ask your paediatrician or family doctor for a referral.
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