Occupational Therapy

What Is Occupational Therapy?… Technically, it is defined by the American Occupational Therapy Association executive board (1976) as:

“The therapeutic use of work, self-care, and play activities to increase development and prevent disability. It may include adaptation of task or environment to achieve maximum independence and to enhance the quality of life.”

Wow, that is a mouthful! Let me try to break it down for you.

It IS how we spend our time; whether paid or unpaid, restful or fun, obligation or choice and that which fulfills us, gives us purpose, and allows us to interact with, be productive, and function in the world around us to the best of our ability.

Here is where the “therapy” comes in. If, at any point in our lives (whether present at birth or onset at a later time), illness, injury or disability prevents us from effectively or independently functioning in one or more “occupational” areas, then it is the job of Occupational Therapy to provide intervention which will help you regain function, maintain level of functioning, or make accommodations for any deficits you may be experiencing.

Occupational Therapy services including

• Activities of daily living (i.e., dressing, dining, range of motion)
• Upper extremity treatment
• Retraining of decreased coordination and de-conditioning