Occupational Therapy

FOR UNDERGRADUATES IN HEALTH PROMOTION AND WELLNESS MANAGEMENT

Created by: Kelly Smith

What is Occupational Therapy?

A form of therapy for those recuperating from either a physical or mental illness by using rehabilitation techniques to help them get back to their everyday life activities

Occupational Therapy in the 1700’s?

Occupational Therapy a new profession? NO

It was created back in the 1700’s when the mentally ill were treated as prisoners rather then members of society

2 men sought out to change this, Phillipe Pinel and William Tuke

It was called Moral Treatment and Occupation.

Moral Treatment and Occupation

Patients were treated with kindness and consideration

They were given literature, music, exercise and relaxing activities to relieve stress

Helped improve the activities of daily life (now called ADL’s)

OT 1840-1860

Considered the “golden years” for Moral Treatment and Occupation in hospitals

Arts and crafts were widely recognized and used as treatments for relaxation and stress

This was a start to a new approach in occupational therapy

OT in the 1900’s

After the civil war occupational therapy seemed to disappear, until the 1900’s when a nurse named Susan Tracey began to teach other nurses the specialty which is known as an occupational nurse.

By 1917 The National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy was founded, now know as the American Occupational Therapy Association

It was then that OT became a more organized medicine and had more of a scientific approach to this field of study

OT in the 1900’s continued

Then the wars hit and OT took off into full force by treating and rehabilitating injured soldiers

It continued to grow, they were now treating not only the mentally ill, but patients who severed their spinal cords, people who have had strokes, or terrible accidents.

Also treating diseases like cerebral palsy, autism, and down syndrome

OT Today

Occupation is the main purpose of the profession

Occupational therapist are every where and working in many different environments

Working with a number of different types of patients

It is ever evolving and growing depending on the social environment around us, and all the new things to come

Duties of an Occupational Therapist

Find out what matters to the patient and what they want to accomplish

observe them in daily activities, observe their home life and work life based on the patient’s health needs

Demonstrate exercises based on patient’s needs

Teach family how to accommodate for the patient

Recommend special equipment, such as wheel chairs, braces and eating aids and demonstrate how to use them.

Assist in every day activities based on the patient’s disabilities and show them how to accommodate activities that they may have a hard time completing.

Where can you find Occupational Therapists?

Hospitals

Mental Health Centers

Physicians offices

Rehabilitation centers

Schools and education centers

The clients home

In research labs

Work environments

Assisted Living Homes

What Type of Patients Do OT’s Treat?

Mentally Ill

Children with development disabilities or disease

Patients with injuries

Cerebral Palsy

Autism

Down Syndrome

Patients who have had strokes

Spinal cord injuries

Patients who are paralyzed

People with drug and alcohol addictions

Elderly patients

People of any age who need help with daily occupations

What a Typical Day For an OT Looks Like

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jLsL_IuA1k

Most OT’s are on their feet for about 8-10 hours a day, this obviously varies depending on where you chose to work

They also lift and support patients throughout the day

It is a very active and hands on profession

What Do You Need to Become an OT?

Bachelor’s and Masters degree

It is not yet required to have a doctorate degree to practice but could change in the near future

After graduating from an Accredited Program by the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education, you must take and pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Exam

Then you must complete supervised field work, that takes 24 weeks

After that, you obtain your license

You need to be compassionate and caring

You need to have patience and perseverance

You need to not give up on yourself and your patients

Lastly, time and dedication

OT Master’s Degree Programs in the Area

Temple University-Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia University (Weekend program)-Philadelphia,PA

Jefferson University-Philadelphia, PA

University of the Sciences-Philadelphia, PA

Richard Stockton College of New Jersey-Galloway Twp., NJ

Salaries for Occupational Therapists

The median salary for an OT as of 2013 is $76,940

The highest paid OT’s are around $109,380

75th percentile are $91,600

25th percentile are $63,580

Occupational therapists who work for home health care services are generally paid higher

American Occupational Therapy Association

Founded in 1917 (see earlier slide )

AOTA has 50,000 members including OT’s, OT assistants and OT students

It educates the public and helps to advance the profession by providing resources

It ensures the quality of occupational therapy and promotes the profession development of its members.

Goals of AOTA

Mission statement:” The American Occupational Therapy Association advances the quality, availability, use, and support of occupational therapy through standard-setting, advocacy, education, and research on behalf of its members and the public. (AOTA Website http://www.aota.org/AboutAOTA.aspx#sthash.I0whjk2O.dpuf)

Vision statement: The American Occupational Therapy Association advances the quality, availability, use, and support of occupational therapy through standard-setting, advocacy, education, and research on behalf of its members and the public. (AOTA Website http://www.aota.org/AboutAOTA.aspx#sthash.I0whjk2O.dpuf)

Centennial Vision: We envision that occupational therapy is a powerful, widely recognized, science-driven, and evidence-based profession with a globally connected and diverse workforce meeting society's occupational needs. (AOTA Website http://www.aota.org/AboutAOTA.aspx#sthash.I0whjk2O.dpuf)

Benefits of AOTA

Even as a student you can become a member of the AOTA for $75 dollars a year

If you are interested in a career in Occupational Therapy becoming a member will only help you out in the future.

Look at the attached web address below to see all the memberships and benefits that they offer:

http://www.aota.org/AboutAOTA/Membership/Types-and-Fees.aspx

And becomes everyone always asks…

What is the difference between OT and PT?

Upper extremities vs. Lower extremities

OT’s work more on the upper body and help with the learning of everyday activities

PT’s treat injuries based off of exercise prescription

“Physical therapy teaches people how to walk, and occupational therapy teaches them how to dance.” (http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/occupational-therapist)

Why OT is so rewarding

Below are a list of quotes from OT’s about why they love doing what they do, I encourage you to check out the website as well! https://sites.google.com/a/rams.colostate.edu/pre-ot-club/home/members-quotes

"I love seeing the satisfaction and happiness on someone's face when they do something they thought at one time they wouldn't do. I love being that person that helps someone accomplish their goal.“

"OT is helping people help themselves; helping them overcome the barriers preventing them from living life to the fullest.“

"OT to me is the beauty of watching a person achieve life all over again“

WORKS CITED

Sensory Processing Disorder. “The History of Occupational Therapy…” http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/history-of-occupational-therapy.html. February 15, 2015

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Occupational Therapists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm (visited February 15, 2015).

U.S. New and World Repots: MONEY. Best Health Care Jobs: Occupational Therapy. http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/occupational-therapist. February 15,2015

The American Occupational Therapy Association, INC. http://www.aota.org/AboutAOTA.aspx. February 15, 2015

The American Occupational Therapy Association, INC. http://www.aota.org/AboutAOTA/Membership/Types-and-Fees.aspx. February 15,2015

Colorado State University. Members Quotes. https://sites.google.com/a/rams.colostate.edu/pre-ot-club/home/members-quotes. February 15, 2015