Occupational Therapy?

Is the "use of productive or creative activity in the treatment or rehabilitation of physically, cognitively, or emotionally disabled people" (American Heritage Dictionary).

A more technical definition is: the use of meaningful occupation to assist people who have difficulty in achieving a healthy and balanced lifestyle and to enable an inclusive society so that all people can participate to their potential in daily occupations of life. Occupational therapists work with a variety of individuals who have difficulty accessing or performing meaningful occupations.

Consider another powerful definition of Occupational Therapy stated:

Occupational Therapy is activity analysis and adaptation. Adaptation may take the form of all of the approaches noted in the paragraph above, and any of the modalities Occupational Therapists use in treatment. "Why can the subject not perform said occupation (or task) and what could be adapted to allow this function?". Most commonly, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants work with people with disabilities to enable them to maximize their skills and abilities.

Occupational therapy gives people the "skills for the job of living" necessary for "living life to its fullest". This also reflects the intent of the OBRA law of 1993 to provide clients with rehabilitation to their "maximum functional ability".

Services typically include:

* Customized intervention programs to improve one's ability to perform daily activities.
* Comprehensive home and job site evaluations with adaptation recommendations.
* Performance skills assessments and treatment.
* Adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training.
* Guidance to family members and caregivers.