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Occupational Therapist career options
History of occupational therapy quiz
Occupational Therapist career options
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The History and Future of Occupational Therapy
According to Merriam’s Dictionary the word Occupation is defined as “an activity in which one engages b: the principal business of one's life” (An Encyclopedia Britannica Company). Although, The Occupational Therapy Field has made significant advancements throughout the years, many people still do not understand what it is that it is the field truly does. In order to truly understand Occupational Therapy one must understand the history of the field.
The Concept of Occupational Therapy actually dates back to the 1700s. During this time people who were mentally ill were treated like prisoners isolated and locked away from society.
In 1793, Phillippe Pinel established the “Moral Treatment and Occupation”
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This help to solidify the fields place in healthcare and would ultimately lead to Occupational Therapy obtaining financial support from the federal government (Sensory Processing Disorder).
In 1956 Occupational Therapists were in such demand that the position for The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant was created. The field of Occupational Therapy kept growing. “During the 1960's, as medicine became "specialized", so did OT. Occupational Therapists were also requested to treat in the fields of pediatrics and developmental disabilities. And, with de-institutionalization came an even greater need to help mentally ill, physically infirmed, and developmentally challenged individuals become independent and productive members of society. It was Occupational Therapists that could easily fill this role, and the surge for competently educated therapists was on. In 1965, under the amendments to the Social Security Acts, Medicare now covered inpatient occupational therapy services. In 1975, The Education of the Handicapped Act was passed and Occupational Therapy was included in the schools as a "Related Service". During the 1980's and 1990's, Occupational Therapy began to focus more on a person's quality of life, thus becoming more involved in education, prevention, screenings, and health maintenance. Goals of occupational therapy could now focus on prevention, quality, and maintaining independence” (Sensory Processing
Occupational therapy is also known as the dynamic and developing healthcare profession that deals with people in ways of regaining their skills required for the every days of life. For a very long time I have always had the desire to achieve my dreams in becoming an occupational therapist. I am very well equipped with creativity, flexibility and the ability to aid people in solving their every day’s life challenges they get involved in. Occupational therapy is quite involving and needs good strategies and skills for one to be successful in the program.
The health care industry is always growing and needing more workers. Occupational therapy has an extremely bright job outlook. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of occupational therapy assistants is projected to grow 29 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than other occupations. (Occupational, 2017) A reason for such a high outlook is because of the baby-boom generation becoming older which means more health implications. Becoming older can affect their ability to perform everyday
Though occupation usually refers to a job, a person’s occupation is initially determined by what their everyday life consists of. When a person becomes incapable of performing the tasks that they are expected to do in their everyday life due to developmental delays, physical injury, or psychological problems they are often referred to an occupational therapist. Occupational therapists, or OTs, usually have occupational therapy assistants, often called OTAs. The OT gives the OTA a set of objectives to help the patient achieve. Since people go through numerous occupations during the course of their lives, OT’s and OTA’s prov...
Evaluating Process: First, it is important to review R’s occupational profile for progress from the start of occupational therapy. This is done to determine which assessment fits the needs of R and to ensure that the services rendered fits the client's purpose and goal. Some of the information gathered will include: client's occupational history, ADL patterns, needs and goals, environmental issues, and what the client’s limitations. It is important to evaluate the client’s progress to help facilitate the services that the new occupational therapist will continue. In addition, the client's concerns and interests are assessed in a welcome and open interview to attain additional information that R's family may
Occupational Therapy takes a client-centered approach to each individual and unique client. This client is Martha. She is 78. She was admitted to the hospital after suffering a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), or stroke. It began when she experienced a choking episode and weakness in her right side. The CVA resulted in right hemiplegia and aphasia. Martha has partial paralysis in the right half of her body and cannot verbally communicate. Her primary role is a homemaker. She graduated with a high school education but never pursued a profession. She is the wife of a healthy and supportive 80 year old man. He intends to care for her at home with private assistance. Some of Martha’s meaningful occupations are playing games such as bingo, solitaire and bridge. She also finds satisfaction in tending to her garden.
This article discusses the basic understanding of what occupational therapy is and what it the Occupation is defined as “activites of everyday life, names, organized and given meaning by individuals and a culture” (Association, 2006). This article also discusses the historical aspects of occupational therapy. Occupational therapy was founded by many different professionals with different backgrounds, that came together to share the same idea about how occupational therapy should be and the importance of activites for a person. This article also talks about different types of services that occupational therapy offers. Occupational therapists and assistances can work in many different settings.
Reilly M (1962) Occupational therapy can be one of the great ideas of the twentieth century. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 16, pp. 300-308
Quiroga, Virginia and Anne Metaxas. Occupational Therapy: The First 30 Years 1900 to 1930. Bethesda, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association, 1995. Print.
While growing up I had many ideas of what professional career I wanted to obtain, although until recent years, occupational therapy was not even a thought. It was not until my grandmother had a stroke that I even knew what occupational therapy was or entailed. I watched my grandmother participate in therapy leading her to learn how to tie her shoes again, and the things I thought were so simple as to dress herself again. It was during that time as high school graduation was approaching that I realized I wanted to be apart of that. I wanted to have a role helping others learn and exceed as she did because I seen how much joy it brought her. This experience opened my eye to the things we so often take for granted, that some people lose the ability of doing or lack the ability of doing. Throughout her journey of facing and overcoming these problems, it led me to a yearning to pursue this
Growing up around a nurse, I have known from a young age that I wanted to work within healthcare and after researching occupational therapy I was sure that it was the career I am suited for. Helping to improve a person’s quality of life and their independence, along with the diverse nature of the work is very exciting to me.
Occupational therapy is a career focused on helping people who have or are at risk for developing an illness, injury, disease, disorder, condition, impairment, disability, activity limitation, or participation restriction. An OT’s scope of practice may involve addressing “the physical, cognitive, psychosocial, sensory, and other aspects of performance to support engagement in everyday life activities that affect health, well-being, and quality of life” (Definition of Occupational Therapy Practice for the AOTA Model Practice Act, 2017). I don’t feel like occupational therapy is the right career for me because I feel like I lack certain characteristics that someone in this profession should have.
I find occupational therapy to pique my drive to teach people valuable life skills as well as learn from those people and their experiences. Being an occupational therapist would allow me to have one-on-one interactions with patients and establish meaningful relationships over the course of time. It would also give me the dutiful privilege and responsibility of instilling confidence in others and helping them realize their full potential in self-suffiency. All of my personal experiences, challenges, educational backgrounds, and professional interactions have guided me toward pursuing my goals of gaining experience working in all populations, enabling patients to thrive in their daily lifestyle, and spread public awareness of what OT has
Occupational therapy made its first appearance in a modern-day setting during the 18th century; however, occupational therapy dates back to 100 BC. The United States medical system adopted occupational therapy in the 19th century. In 1910, occupational therapy became a realized profession. Then, the main focus was working with individuals to get them to a fully functional state. Around 1930, standards of practice were developed for occupational therapists (OT’s). The career continues to evolve and change as new illnesses and disabilities arise. Even with all the changes, the main focus remains intact: helping people.
Occupational therapy was based off of psychology; we evolved from treating mentally ill patients with isolation as an efficient treatment plan. We must never forget we are known to be “the art and science of helping people do the day-to-day activities that are important and meaningful to their health and well being through engagement in valued occupations” (Crepeau, Cohn, & Schell, 2008). To other professional disciplines this article explains the difference between each of us, yet can also express our relation to one another. The basic goal of all therapeutic disciplines is to better our clients life, through physical, speech or occupational therapy. Every discipline targets different goals, may it be body mechanics, reducing a stutter or buttoning a shirt, at the end of the day our clients well being may it be through science, art or both is all that matters. To the occupational therapy field this article means progress for what we do. Reading this article today in the year 2015 did not seem like old information to me, it is still relevant, I am proud that our field is not only evolving with contemporary time but it is also maintaining its
...e-based knowledge to inform the therapy practice. It also assists with furthering the therapist’s knowledge of humans as occupational beings as well as the relationship between occupation and health.(Yexer ,1993) introduced occupational science as a fundamental science supporting occupational therapy, with an aim to refocus the provision of therapy back to occupation. Hence, occupational science provides the therapists with support, justifies the meaning and uniqueness of the profession and distinguishes occupational therapy from other professions. In addition (Wilcock, 2001), also emphasises that occupational science might be another way to avoid the possible failure of the occupational therapy as a practice. With a strong research background, occupational therapists could make a contribution to medical science, which may challenge it from a different standpoint.