Occupational therapistsOccupational therapists (OTs) help people improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. They work with individuals who have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling. They also help them to develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills. Occupational therapists help clients not only to improve their basic motor functions and reasoning abilities, but also to compensate for permanent loss of function. Their goal is to help clients have independent, productive, and satisfying lives. Occupational therapists assist clients in performing activities of all types, ranging from using a computer to caring for daily needs such as dressing, cooking, and eating. Physical exercises may be used to increase strength and dexterity, while other activities may be chosen to improve visual acuity and the ability to discern patterns. For example, a client with short-term memory loss might be encouraged to make lists to aid recall, and a person with coordination problems might be assigned exercises to improve hand-eye coordination. Occupational therapists also use computer programs to help clients improve decisionmaking, abstract-reasoning, problem-solving, and perceptual skills, as well as memory, sequencing, and coordination—all of which are important for independent living. Therapists instruct those with permanent disabilities, such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy, in the use of adaptive equipment, including wheelchairs, splints, and aids for eating and dressing. They also design or make special equipment needed at home or at work. Therapists develop computer-aided adaptive equipment and teach clients with severe limitations how to use that equipment in order to communicate better and control various aspects of their environment. Some occupational therapists treat individuals whose ability to function in a work environment has been impaired. These practitioners arrange employment, evaluate the work environment, plan work activities, and assess the client�s progress. Therapists also may collaborate with the client and the employer to modify the work environment so that the work can be successfully completed. Occupational therapists may work exclusively with individuals in a particular age group or with particular disabilities. In schools, for example, they evaluate children�s abilities, recommend and provide therapy, modify classroom equipment, and help children participate as fully as possible in school programs and activities. Occupational therapy also is beneficial to the elderly population. Therapists help the elderly lead more productive, active, and independent lives through a variety of methods, including the use of adaptive equipment. Occupational therapists in mental-health settings treat individuals who are mentally ill, mentally retarded, or emotionally disturbed. To treat these problems, therapists choose activities that help people learn to engage in and cope with daily life. Activities include time management skills, budgeting, shopping, homemaking, and the use of public transportation. Occupational therapists also may work with individuals who are dealing with alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, eating disorders, or stress-related disorders. Assessing and recording a client�s activities and progress is an important part of an occupational therapist�s job. Accurate records are essential for evaluating clients, for billing, and for reporting to physicians and other healthcare providers. Related news articles ATLPlaytime Developmental Toddler Toys Secures Well Known Atlanta ... - 16 Oct 2006 PR Web (press release),ATLPlaytime in Atlanta, Georgia has announced that it has retained Kristin Boatner , a well known Pediatric Occupational Therapist, to consult on the testing ... Peter's back from Oz to see beloved Town - 16 Oct 2006 ic Huddersfield.co.uk,...to be a nurse. Jim is an occupational therapist while Peter is a registered nurse at a hospital in Sydney. He emigrated in 2003 ... Something to Celebrate - 16 Oct 2006 PR.com (press release),Created in 2002 by Kay Richardson, an occupational therapist assistant and certified ergonomic assessment specialist, the company consults with corporations ... Swing script - 16 Oct 2006 The News Journal,Yorktown students are taught from a program called Handwriting Without Tears, developed by Jan Olsen, a Cabin John, Md., occupational therapist. ... Occupational Therapist - Oct 15, 2006 The Spokesman Review,Continuing contract, .6 FTE plus Extended School Year program in the summer. WA state OT license and ESA certificate required. Bachelor's in Occ. ... Behind the wheel again - Oct 15, 2006 Oakland Press,The occupational therapist from Royal Oak, who works at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, started taking lessons to drive with hand controls 13 years ... Physical therapy helps College Station woman regain use of arms - Oct 14, 2006 Bryan College Station Eagle,...shoulders. While an occupational therapist focused on helping Moore with daily activities, Cernel focused more on wheelchair mobility. ... Barrier-free homes Lessons from The Three Little Pigs - Oct 13, 2006 Alberta Daily Herald Tribune (subscription),...planning. He talked to the occupational therapist from home care. He went to the Council of the Disabled. He went to the library. ... Fargo boys may help kids with genetic disorders - Oct 15, 2006 Bismarck Tribune,...old. Besides delayed motor and verbal skills, he avoided eye contact and showing emotion, his occupational therapist said. "Everything ... Bowman, Vierkant unite in marriage - Oct 15, 2006 Jacksonville Daily Progress,...in St. Louis. Katherine is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta, and she is an occupational therapist in Burlington, Kan. The wedding party ... Therapist: A difference between anger and aggression - Oct 4, 2006 Barbados Advocate,This is according to Occupational Therapist at the Psychiatric Hospital, Lennox Rochester, who spoke to the Barbados Advocate after a presentation at a Mens ... SDA has new dental hygienist - Oct 15, 2006 Saipan Tribune,...the Commonwealth. Cabanatan has an accountant brother and a sister that works as an occupational therapist in California. October ... Wedding plans included recuperation from injury and surgery - Oct 15, 2006 Pioneer Press,He also had been experiencing what he thought were migraine head-aches. "I thought he had had a stroke," says Lori, 32, an occupational therapist. ... En-able yourself - Oct 15, 2006 Indianapolis Star,...sink. Lynda G. Shrager is an occupational therapist, author and professional health organizing consultant from Slingerlands, NY. Health Expo Nov. 3 at Middletown Mall - Oct 14, 2006 Times-West Virginian,Luke Davis, an occupational therapist, and Joe Pennington, a physical therapist, both from Fairmont Rehabilitation Center, will be on hand to perform balance ... Professor, grad students, explore telemedicine in article - Oct 13, 2006 UConn Advance,In the article, the students – an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, a physician assistant, and a dietician – describe how they could use ... Retired Trucker Masters New Set of Wheels - Oct 13, 2006 First Coast News,..."I was elated.". Modifications were installed in the truck and Fort Sanders Occupational Therapist Kristy Clark helped him learn how to use them. ... THE GIFT OF LIFE: Cancer survivor sings the praises of embracing ... - Oct 13, 2006 Detroit Free Press,..."Cancer made me more creative," says Wanchik, a retired occupational therapist at Detroit's Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan. ... Terre Haute kindergartener to witness cannonization at Vatican ... - Oct 14, 2006 Terre Haute Tribune Star,Katie has grown up around the Sisters of Providence, said Landis, who works with the sisters at St. Mary-of-the-Woods as an occupational therapist. ... More information on Occupational therapists from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Occupational therapists occupation Number of Occupational therapists in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Occupational therapists Working conditions for Occupational therapists Significant points for Occupational therapists Training requirements for Occupational therapists Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |