What is Occupational Therapy?

Skills for the job of Living
Young or old, we all have a job to do – the job of living. Learning, growing, playing, working managing our homes, and caring for our families and ourselves are among the “occupations” of life.

Sometimes physical, emotional, or other challenges prevent people from participating fully in the job of living. Stroke, injury, depression, and developmental disabilities, for example, can make it difficult for people to do everyday tasks or be as active and as independent as they’d like.

Occupational Therapy – a vibrant, growing profession – makes it possible for people to regain independence and to enjoy life to its fullest. By choosing a career in Occupational Therapy, you will make a difference. You will improve the lives of children, young people, and adults alike.

About Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioners
An Occupational Therapy Assistant works, under the direction of an Occupational Therapist, in hospitals, schools systems, nursing homes, psychiatric programs, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics and in the community. Occupational Therapy Assistants have been trained to use “occupations” or activities of daily life to help people of all ages participate in their activities of choice to their fullest potential.

Becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant
The NSCC OTA Program is a two-year course of study. This includes three academic semesters and one semester of full-time internships. Given the necessary skills and knowledge required to become an OTA, applicants must be prepared to make a strong commitment to both academic coursework and internship training. The OTA must be prepared to work with persons of varied ages, cultures and abilities. OTA students will be challenged in both personal and professional ways as they prepare to become Occupational Therapy Assistants. It is important that all applicants recognize the commitment required if accepted into this program and to this profession.

Facts about Occupational Therapy
Nearly one third of people employed in the profession of Occupational Therapy work with children helping them master the "occupations" of childhood-learning, playing and growing. Handwriting problems are a leading reason schoolchildren are referred to Occupational Therapists.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics calls Occupational Therapy one of today's fastest growing careers pointing to growing numbers of older adults and young children who need Occupational Therapy services.

Nationwide, there are 324 college or university-based educational programs for Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants.

Occupational Therapists have at least a four-year bachelor's degree and many have masters or doctorate degrees. Occupational Therapy Assistants typically have a two-year associates degree. Beginning in 2007, Occupational Therapists must have at least a master's degree.

Approximately 117,000 Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants are licensed to practice in all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico . Florida alone has over 6,000 licensed Occupational Therapy practitioners.

Occupational Therapy services are delivered in a variety of settings such as schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, and mental health clinics.

Alzheimer's disease
Amputation
Arthritis
Attention deficit & hyperactivity disorders
Autism
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Cerebral Palsy
Chronic pain
Conditions related to aging

Delayed development
Fibromyalgia
Hand injuries
Hip fracture/ replacement
Learning disabilities
Low vision
Mental retardation
Mood disorders
Musculoskeletal trauma

Parkinson's disease
Repetitive motion disorders
Schizophrenia
Stroke
Substance abuse
Sensory dysfunction
Spinal cord injury
Traumatic brain injury

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) was founded in 1917. The historic roots of Occupational Therapy lay in the movement to reform mental health care at the turn of the 20 th century, when it was shown that patients who engaged in "purposeful occupations" such as crafts and practical work experienced a more successful recovery.

The Fund To Promote Awareness of Occupational Therapy was created by AOTA in 2002 as part of a long-term strategy to raise awareness of Occupational Therapy. The Fund is a charitable organization committed to ongoing resource development to support targeted outreach, education, research and professional development opportunities that will increase the public's understanding and utilization of Occupational Therapy services.