April is OT Month!

OT Month                           Author: Krista Flack, MS OTR/L

April is OT Month!  This year is especially important as we celebrate 100 years of occupational therapy!  This website has some interesting stories and moments throughout history, highlighting how the field of occupational therapy has grown and evolved. 

Did you know??

Occupation, as defined in Webster’s Dictionary, is "an activity in which one engages." Occupational therapists promote skill development and independence in all daily activities.  For an adult, this may mean looking at the areas of self-care, home-making, leisure, and work.  The "occupations" of childhood may include playing in the park with friends, washing hands, going to the bathroom, cutting with scissors, drawing, etc.  A favorite quote of mine, by Mr. Rogers, says that “play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play IS serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” Skills worked on through play are more likely to be practiced and carried over, resulting in better learning!

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.

Occupational therapy services are delivered in a variety of settings, such as schools, clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, mental health clinics, and even in patient’s homes.

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 20th century, when it was shown that patients who engaged in "purposeful occupations" such as crafts and practical work experienced a more successful recovery.

In the past few years, occupational therapy has consistently ranked on Best Jobs by Forbes and US News. 

For a brief introduction to what OT is and how it may help your child, take a look at last April’s OT Month blog and the Benefits of OT Part 1 and Part 2!