Occupational Therapy Assistant
Occupational Therapy is a client-centered health profession. A certified Occupational Therapy Assistant collaborates with the supervising occupational therapist to facilitate the use of those occupations which are meaningful to an individual. Occupational therapy assistants work with clients to maximize their physical and cognitive abilities, identify which components (physical, mental, or social) that are impaired, and then adapt the task and/or environment, empowering the person to resume their meaningful activities. Recognizing the individual is whole person, mind, body and spirit that interacts with the environment within various contexts, occupational therapy assistants use a holistic approach when working with clients across the age-span in the areas of ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living, IADL’s (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living), work, play, rest, and leisure. Occupational therapy assistants are employed in a variety of current and emerging practice areas which include, but are not limited to, schools, hospitals, home health agencies, out-patient rehabilitation centers, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities, behavioral health programs and community-based programs.