Occupational therapy

Occupational therapists are trained to assist people to overcome various problems in order to live more independent lives. People may need assistance due to injury or illness, mental health problems, developmental delay or the effects of ageing.

Occupational therapists work in many different environments, including schools, nursing homes, hospitals and workplaces. They take a holistic approach to healthcare and treatment, and their goal is to improve skills for living so that people can accomplish more, and improve wellbeing and quality of life. They work with the person, their family, and other healthcare professionals where necessary.

People of all ages and abilities can be helped by occupational therapy (OT).

Stages of treatment

An OT treatment program typically involves three stages:

• Evaluation – the abilities of the person are assessed in the context of their work, school, home, leisure, general lifestyle and family situation.
• Consultation – having made an assessment, the occupational therapist then consults with the person, other professionals and family members who may be closely involved, to develop a treatment program.
• Treatment – this may take place in a clinic, hospital ward, residential care centre or at the person’s home, school or workplace. The goal is always to improve skills for living.

OT for children

OT promotes normal development and stimulates learning in children with specific learning difficulties, physical disabilities, delayed development or those recovering from illness or injury.

Working with children, their families and teachers, occupational therapists aim to improve the child’s quality of life by helping them to participate in play, preschool, school and home activities.

An occupational therapist may work with children in any of the following areas:

• Prerequisite activities – the child’s physical abilities, such as motor control, hand-to-eye coordination, body awareness and sensation
• Functional skills – the child’s day-to-day living skills, such as eating, writing, going to the toilet, interacting with other children and playground skills
• The environment – such as classroom furniture, classroom and schoolyard access, and equipment for woodwork, art and physical education.

OT for adolescents

Adolescence is often a challenging and difficult time for young people and their families. OT can help adolescents by promoting personal growth, which can help to improve self-esteem and develop independent social and communication skills. Teenagers with social and lifestyle problems, or disabilities resulting from an accident or disease, can maximise their independence and quality of life into adulthood with the help of an occupational therapist.

OT for adults and the elderly

When an adult or elderly person is affected by an illness, accident or workplace injury, an occupational therapist can help them on the road to recovery. They may assist with the return to home and work life through the development of new skills for daily living, such as household tasks and personal care, return-to-work or leisure programs. They may also make or facilitate changes to the work or home environment to make life easier and safer.

OT in mental health

Occupational therapists also assist adults who are experiencing psychological or emotional difficulties. They can help a person to develop better ways to deal with mental illness in the context of day-to-day activities, managing work and emotional problems. They work with other health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and doctors.

OT in the workplace

Occupational therapists play an important role in helping workers return to work following an injury or illness, including stress. Their role in the workplace covers:

• Injury management and rehabilitation – including worksite assessments, injury risk assessments, occupational rehabilitation counselling and early intervention rehabilitation
• Injury prevention – including manual-handling assessments, claims history reviews, ergonomic assessments, development of alternate duties, work-conditioning programs and the redesign of workplaces
• Training – in areas like stress management, manual handling, back care, safe work practices, the introduction of new equipment, work-station adjustments and developing pause exercises, where you take a break for exercise at work.

Occupational therapists work across a whole range of settings. Some of these include:

• Public and private hospitals
• Medical rehabilitation units
• Your local community health centre
• Occupational health centres
• Home care services
• Retirement homes
• Psychiatric clinics, hostels and hospitals
• Vocational rehabilitation clinics
• Tertiary education centres
• Independent living centres
• Private practice
• Schools, pharmacy and industry.

Where to get help

• Your GP (doctor)
• An occupational therapist
• OT Australia (Victoria) Private Practice Register to find a local Occupational Therapist.