What is Occupational Therapy?

April is Occupational Therapy month. When people hear the words “Occupational Therapy” they often think that it has something to do with finding a job. That’s an easy mistake to make, but according to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), Occupational Therapy actually helps people across the lifespan participate in the things that they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (also known as occupations). Simply put, Occupational Therapists help develop, recover and maintain the daily living skills for people who have a disorder.

Who uses Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapists treat disabled children, elderly adults, individuals recovering from an injury or with arthritis, veterans, and more. This can include helping children with disabilities participate in school, or providing support to older adults experiencing physical changes.

What services do Occupational Therapists offer?

Occupational Therapy (OT) services comprise of an individualized evaluation to determine the individual’s goals, a customized intervention to improve the person’s ability to perform daily activities, and an outcomes evaluation to ensure that the individual’s goals are being met. OT practitioners have a holistic perspective, and focus on adapting the environment to suit the person. OT is unique in that the individual in need of treatment is a part of the therapy team.

Occupational Therapists use many of Best Priced Products’ items during treatment, including:

• TheraPutty® exercise putty
• Puttycise® exercise tools
• FabLife® ADLs

Follow us for the rest of April to learn more about occupational therapy and the tools therapists use to help people live their lives to the fullest.