1. Introduction to Occupational Therapy

2. Introduction Thank you for having me. My name is _____ I am an (occupational therapist).

3. What is occupation? “Occupation” is any daily life activity that is meaningful to someone. Occupations can include: ●Brushing your teeth ●Cooking a meal ●Playing ●Socializing ●Work

4. What do you do? [participants will need paper and pens] List 5 things you do on a typical day. o Cross off 2 o Cross off 1 more

5. What is Occupational Therapy (OT)? Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help people of all ages do the things they want and need to do through the use of everyday activities (occupations). Occupational therapy practitioners ask: "What matters to you?" not, "What's the matter with you?"

6. What does OT look like? [Share a story about someone from your caseload and what OT meant for them] OT’s work in many different settings: ●Hospitals ●Homes ●Clinics ●Schools ●Communities ●Organizations

7. How is OT different? -Considers whole person -Broad knowledge base -Biology and Anatomy -Neuroscience -Assistive technology -Psychology -Focus on everyday activities as the basis for intervention and outcomes

8. When does someone get an OT? OT is provided when an individual has an accident or health condition that prevents them from participating in activities of daily living.

9. Who do we work with? Clients for OT can include ●Children o Autism o Down Syndrome o Cerebral Palsy o Developmental Delay o Prematurity ●Adults after an injury ●People living with mental health concerns ●People with physical disability

10. What do OT’s do? ●Modify the environment ●Identify barriers to participation ●Splint ●Educate parents and caregivers ●Teach cognitive strategies ●Evaluate and treat concerns with o Motor skills o Visual-Motor integration o Development o Handwriting o ADL’s (dressing, eating, bathing, sleeping) o IADL’s o Community Access o Driving o Safety o Medication management

11. OT’s and Allied Health ●OT’s and OTA’s may work with: o Physical Therapy o Speech Therapy o Social Work o Medical Doctors o Psychologists o Nurses o Teachers

12. OT Education Occupational Therapist ●Required Master’s degree in OT (2 years after BS) o Entry Level Doctorate (OTD) o Post Professional OTD (PP-OTD) o Prior to 2007, BS in OT Occupational Therapy Assistant ●Associates Degree (2 years after HS)

13. What do OT’s learn? OT education includes: ●Anatomy and Neuroscience ●Theory ●Task analysis ●Environmental modification ●Assessments ●Intervention ●Understanding and implementing evidence based practices Clinical observation is required.

14. How can I pursue a career in OT? ●Volunteer with local organizations o Special Olympics o Programs for people with disabilities ●Contact local therapists and ask if you can observe or help out Can you think of something else you could do?

15. Review What profession have we been talking about tonight? Right. What do O.T.s do again? We do not aim to “fix” or “cure” a disability, but provide services that help a person live life to its fullest.

16. Questions? Comments?

17. First Name, Last Name Institution Email@email.com ©COTAD 2015