If you’re scratching your head about “What is Occupational Therapy For?” you’re not alone.

We’ve often mentioned that if we called ourselves “functional therapists” we may have saved a lot of scratching, but perhaps not.

You see once you get your head around “Occupation” +”Therapy” it starts to make sense. In this article we describe what OT is for and how it may help you.

So, What Is Occupational Therapy For?

According to the World Federation of Occupational Therapist (WFOT),

“Occupational therapy is a client-centred health profession concerned with promoting health and well being through occupation. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life.”

In short, an OT wants to obliterate any barriers that may prevent you living your life the way you want. We’re committed to maximizing your strengths, treating and rehabilitating your weaknesses so that you can be more independent and live life on your terms.

Can An OT Help You? Contact Us Today To See If We Can – Call 1300 783 200

Who Does Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy Australia states that the people who practice occupational therapy (OT) are recognised as;

” a degree-based health profession, regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Occupational therapists use a whole person perspective to work with individuals, groups and communities to achieve optimal health and wellbeing through participation in the occupations of life.

What Does Occupational Therapy Treatment Include?

We’ve established that OTs focus on promoting functional independence, health and wellbeing by enabling people to participate in the everyday occupations of life.

An assessment is the starting point of the therapy process and it will investigate your ability to perform these activities include tasks such as

• self-care activities including showering, dressing, preparing food;
• productive activities such as education, work,
• volunteering and caring for others;
• and leisure/social activities, such as being part of a community group, engaging in a hobby, and being part of a friendship group.

Occupational therapists play a key role in enabling people experiencing disability to identify and implement methods that support their ability to perform in life tasks which are important to them.

No doubt this has been a key service role for OTs within the NDIS.

The treatment may cover working with a person directly, their care team or family, prescribing therapy activities, assistive equipment, task or environment changes.

Who Does An Occupational Therapist Work With?

From children to teenagers and adults to the elderly, an OT works with people at any stage of life.

At Occupational Therapy Brisbane we offer services and programs to adults living with a neurological condition. This is covered in specific detail at the following linked pages

• Occupational therapy for stroke
• Occupational therapy for the elderly 
• Occupational therapy for adults living with neurological conditions
• Occupational therapy for hands and upper limbs
• Occupational therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
• Occupational therapy for dementia
• Occupational therapy for MS
• Occupational therapy for brain injury

When To Get An OT Assessment and Treatment?

Sadly, we see more often than not, people waiting too long before getting an OT assessment.

Whether we’re asked to consider their home situation to prevent a fall, or a person is living with moderate stage Parkinson’s disease or dementia symptoms, sadly it’s after a fall or when a person’s symptoms are too “much” that we’re commonly called.

Whatever your situation we encourage you to get in touch soon rather than later.

Early and responsive clinical treatments can help a person live with greater quality of life – that’s our goal and why we recommended early referral.

Can An OT Help You? Contact Us Today To See If We Can – Call 1300 783 200

Alternatively, fill out the form below and our practice management team will get in touch. Please leave as much detail as you feel comfortable as well as the best phone number and email.

Article Sources

The following web pages and articles were reviewed:

• What is Occupational Therapy? – AOTA (aota.org) –
• What Is Occupational Therapy and When Do Kids Need It? – The … (nytimes.com) – Occupational therapy is not just for kids with disabilities, it can benefit a wide variety of children.
• Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA)
• About Occupational Therapy – OTAUS (otaus)–
• Occupational Therapy & Therapists Explained (webmd.com) – What can OT do for you? Learn about occupational therapy, what occupational therapists do, where they work, and why you might need this treatment.
• Video on What Occupational Therapy Can Do: What is OT? – AOTA (aota.org) –
• Occupational Therapy (for Parents) – Nemours KidsHealth (kidshealth.org) – Occupational therapy can help improve kids’ cognitive, physical, and motor skills and build their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment.
• Occupational Therapists (bls.gov) – Occupational therapists treat patients who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities.
• Occupational therapy – Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org) –
• Occupational Therapy for Children (understood.org) – What is occupational therapy? Find out how OT works and how children may qualify for free occupational therapy services in school.
• Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy: What’s the Difference? (otaonline.stkate.edu) – The fields of occupational therapy and physical therapy are often confused. Let’s clear up the differences between OT vs PT.
• What is Occupational Therapy – Canadian Association of … (caot.ca) – CAOT, Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists | Association canadienne des ergothérapeutes
• What is Occupational Therapy: the Role of the Therapist Explained (otaonline.stkate.edu) – What is occupational therapy? How is an occupational therapist different from COTA? Learn about the OT field and OTA career outlook.
• Occupational Therapy at the Center for Autism and Related … (kennedykrieger.org) – What is occupational therapy? Occupational therapy (OT) is a health profession that helps individuals with various disabilities achieve independence in all areas of their lives. It gives people the “skills for the job of living” independent and satisfying lives.
• A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study of the Effectiveness of … (ajot.aota.org) –
• Occupational Therapy for Children and Youth Using Sensory … (ajot.aota.org) -Occupational therapy – NHS (nhs.uk) – Occupational therapy provides support to people whose health prevents them doing the activities that matter to them.
• Department of Occupational Therapy (ithaca.edu) –