What is an occupational therapist?

An OT is a professional who works with individuals challenged in their ability to perform their daily roles or "occupations" because of a psychological, cognitive, or physical condition. Clients regain independence and achieve a sense of mastery through learning new and personalized ways to perform a task and/or through changing the arrangement of the living or working space to fit their unique needs.  more

In an orthopedic setting like the Hospital for Special Surgery, an Occupational Therapist (OT) focuses on upper extremity acute care and outpatient rehabilitation for adults and children. Occupational therapists in the pediatric department also address cognitive, fine motor, visual-motor integration and visual perception impairments and delays.  more

Occupational therapists help people to develop or adapt the skills they need for everyday living. A homemaker with rheumatoid arthritis learns to become more self-reliant using energy conservation and work simplification techniques. A high-school student with a spinal cord injury learns to navigate life from a wheelchair and to use technology to participate in the classroom. A child born with a developmental disability learns to play with other children. Occupational therapists work in many traditional and emerging settings. They may work as members of a health care team to provide needed rehabilitation services, or they may work with school systems or local agencies to help those in need to participate more fully in life.