Occupational therapists provide assistance to individuals who have special needs or disabilities due to illness, injury, or aging. Occupational therapy focuses on "the activities of daily living," that is, the activities a person is expected to do on a daily basis at home, work, or school. The goal of individualized evaluation, treatment, and sometimes, consultation is to improve self-help, work, learning, or leisure skills that maximize independence and promote quality of life within the person's environment.

Occupational Therapy can help people with:

A registered occupational therapist (OTR) or a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) must graduate from an accredited education program with direct emphasis in biological and behavioral sciences. They specifically study the effects of illness and injury on human growth and development. To practice occupational therapy, they must pass a national certification examination and be licensed in the state in which they provide services.

Assessment and Evaluation

Occupational therapists identify a person's special needs and define their abilities through in-depth assessment of self-care skills, movement, problem solving, organizational skills, and social/interpersonal skills. Therapists may use a variety of standardized tests and instruments.

This evaluation process enables therapists to determine underlying reasons for dysfunctions, such as orthopedic, neuromuscular, perceptual motor, or sensory processing deficits. Evaluations may include:

Direct treatment entails one-on-one interaction between the occupational therapist and the individual. In treating patients with hand dysfunction, occupational therapists can do the following:

Splints

Physicians often prescribe the use of specially-made splints as part of a patient's hand rehabilitation program. Occupational therapists are trained to properly size and create splints for a variety of needs. In addition, they can provide instruction to patients and caregivers in the proper use of prosthetics and adaptive equipment to replace lost function. They also advise patients on seating and positioning techniques.

Hand-sizing for a splint using a fitting kit. Checking pencil grip for proper fit.

Fitting pattern for custom splint onto patient's hand.
	Consultation

Consultative occupational therapy involves the therapist evaluating the individual in his or her natural environment, whether at work, school, or at home. Unlike direct treatment, in which the occupational therapist works one-on-one with the individual, here the therapist analyzes the patient's abilities and environment.

The therapist will then recommend modifications, assistive technology, and/or adaptive equipment that will increase the individual's ability to function and achieve independence in the performance of daily activities, as well as improve interpersonal interaction. This type of intervention is very popular today for improving the quality of life by making homes, workplaces, and schools more accessible.