What is Occupational Therapy?

When I told my friend that I want to become an occupational therapist, they always have this face when they hear my answers:

Credit: Wan Wan

Yes, it is very unfortunate that OT is one of the most unheard jobs in the U.S. To make it worse, sometimes they ask me:

       "Is an Occupational Therapist a job counselor?"

NO!!

Let’s dissect OT down bit by bit:

Occupation means activities that people find meaningful things to do.

Therapy means a treatment of a physical or a mental illness.

So occupational therapy means a treatment that promotes people of all ages and diagnoses to do activities that they want and must do to stay alive. 

Reference:

O’ Brien J.C & Hussey S.M (2012) Introduction to Occupational Therapy, Washington: Elsevier

Wan Wan (n.d.) Animated MSN Emoticons http://cwwany.pixnet.net/album/photo/198907126

1)   I like it because you can work “with clients of all ages and diagnoses.” (O’Brien and Hussey, 2012)

1)   You work through all kinds of problems!

Including:

1)   Because you can spend time with your clients and be friends with them!

1)   I can apply what I learn from my major, psychology!

1)   OT works in various settings, such as:

And infinitely more places. All the pictures are being made by me. Reference to reason 1, 2 and 5: O’ Brien J.C & Hussey S.M (2012) Introduction to Occupational Therapy, Washington: Elsevier A.L P.S: Writing this article makes me more desperate for going to an Occupational Therapy Program. How desperate am I? Message to Occupational Therapy Program Staff. Dear Occupational therapy Program Staff: PLEASE ACCEPT ME! J A.L