What do occupational therapists do?
Based upon their training in human anatomy and physiology, knowledge of various disabilities and diseases human development, psychology, adaptive technology, and standardized and non-standardized assessments of functioning, OTs evaluate their clients’ functional abilities and limitations in a number of different settings and roles. For example, the OT may look at how the person functions in school, home, or work settings as a student, caregiver, or employee. As part of the evaluation, the OT interviews the client in order to get a good sense of the client’s priorities. The OT then incorporates all of this material into a treatment plan that outlines specific goals and breaks down those goals into manageable steps. OT treatment usually consists of weekly or regular sessions in which the OT helps the client to practice the skills that will enable the person to be more functional.
Occupational therapists work with individuals who have been disabled by injury, illness, disease processes, developmental delay, or through the aging process. Disabilities can be physical or mental. Occupational therapists work with a variety of patients throughout the age spectrum. In the past, occupational therapy has been ordered through a physician. However, thanks to our efforts in the 1999 Texas Legislative Session, OTs my now accept referrals from all licensed health care providers. People in early intervention programs, schools, work sites, and other community sites like sheltered workshops or adult day care may access occupational therapy without a physician referral if there is no acute or active medical situation. These programs may have some other decision-making committee or body that helps determine the need for OT services, but in some cases there is direct access. If the clients wish their health insurance to reimburse them for services, the insurance company may requir
