What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy (OT) is a health profession that helps people of all ages do the everyday activities (called “occupations”) that matter to them — self-care, work, school, leisure and social participation — when illness, injury, disability or developmental differences make those activities hard.

Key points
- Goal: increase independence, safety and participation in meaningful daily activities.
- Who provides it: licensed occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs/COTAs).
- Common areas addressed: bathing/dressing, cooking, feeding, school tasks, work skills, play, driving, memory and attention, sensory processing, and mental-health–related daily functioning.
- Typical interventions: task modification and practice, adaptive equipment and splints, environmental/home or workplace modifications, energy conservation and pacing, cognitive strategies, and caregiver education.
- Settings: hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, home health, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, community programs and workplaces.
- How it differs from physical therapy: OT focuses on improving ability to perform daily activities and participation; physical therapy emphasizes mobility, strength and movement.
- When to consider OT: after injury or stroke, with chronic conditions (arthritis, MS), developmental delays, sensory or cognitive concerns, mental health challenges, or difficulty returning to work/school.

If you want, tell me the age and problem you’re thinking about and I can explain what OT would do in that situation.