“ Because of Occupational Therapy”. A short animated video produced by UBC students (2012).
Occupational therapy stories and facts. 23 snapshots of how occupational therapy services make a difference.
Products receiving the CAOT Seal of Recognition. Select products are awarded a CAOT Seal of Recognition to help consumers make an informed choice.
A day in the life of an occupational therapist
An occupational therapist (OT) will meet with each client to explore what they want and need to do in order to live well. An OT will seek to understand what is working for the client and what is more challenging or getting in the way. This may be done by exploring:
- How your current routines and habits relate to your well-being and your participation in valued activities
- Your physical abilities like strength, balance and coordination
- Your mental abilities like memory, coping strategies, organizational skills
- What materials or devices you use to participate in activities like furniture, utensils, tools or clothes
- What social and emotional support is available to you at home, school, work or in your community
- The physical setup of your house, classroom, workplace or other environment
Depending on what you’re working on doing, an occupational therapist can help you participate by:
1. Helping you live well with your disability. Occupational therapists do this with you by:
- Coaching you in choosing and doing activities that you can use to connect with who you want to be and what you value for living well
- Focusing on your strengths and collaboratively exploring how you can use these to navigate barriers to your valued activities
- Working with you to identify areas where you can grow your skills - e.g., coping skills, wheelchair skills, advocacy skills
- Work with you and your communities to develop resources and spaces where we all belong and can participate together
- Listen to your ideas and concerns, strategize with you on different ways of doing activities, and help you connect with opportunities to give it a go so you can figure out how participation could be possible
2. Helping you find tools and equipment you can use to participate. OTs do this with you by researching and testing tools and equipment:
- Around the house – e.g., a large-grip key holder to make turning keys easier
- In sports or leisure activities – e.g., a playing cards holder (paddle grips, wheelchair tires suitable for the terrain you want to trek on)
- At work or school – e.g., writing aids, ergonomic set ups
- To take care of yourself – e.g., shower chairs or raised toilet seats
- To get from place to place – e.g., car modifications such as one-handed steering wheels
3. Exploring and advocating with you on improving access to the places and spaces where you would do your everyday activities. Occupational therapists do this with you by :
- Exploring the physical layout of your workplace, home, school, or community space – e.g., lowering/raising desktops, countertops or cupboards
- Researching and connecting with services, resources and groups in your community – e.g., specialized public transportation, peer support groups, community groups, community businesses, disability resource centers
- Work with the people in your workplace/school – e.g., coaching and collaborating with your teacher or employer on strategies to support you at school/work, what a gradual return to work/school could look like, and what accommodations may be needed
- Work with the government and insurance bodies to encourage healthy living – e.g., request funding for recommended equipment and tools
Through client-centred care, occupational therapists not only help navigate barriers but help prevent:
- Unnecessary hospital stays and readmissions
- Premature moves to a nursing home - so you can age well in your community
- Work injuries due to poor workstation set-up and other organizational strains
- School dropout due to poor attention spans or reading and writing difficulties
- Unemployment among people with a developmental disability or a mental illness