Discipline Role Assignment: Occupational Therapy

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Discipline Role Assignment Occupational Therapy

• Suellen Sharp, OTS
• Autumn 2007

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Philosophy

• Human life includes a process of continuous
  adaptation, resulting in a sense of competence
  and self-esteem.
• Occupational therapists focus on assisting people
  to engage in daily life activities that they find
  meaningful and purposeful.
• Occupational therapists understand occupations
  and the use of occupation to affect human
  performance and improve the effects of disease
  and disability.
• (OSU/OT, 2007)

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Definition

• Occupational therapy is a health profession whose
  goal is to help people achieve independence,
  meaning and satisfaction in all aspects of their
  lives. (Crepeau et al., 2003)
• Occupational Therapy is the science of using
  occupation, meaning activities with specific
  goals, in helping people of all ages prevent,
  lessen, or overcome disabilities. (OSU/OT, 2007)
• The use of productive or creative activity in the
  habilitation or rehabilitation of physically or
  emotionally disabled people.

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Purpose of the Profession

• Occupational therapy is skilled treatment that
  helps individuals achieve independence in all
  facets of their lives. Occupational therapy
  assists people in developing the "skills for the
  job of living" necessary for independent and
  satisfying lives.
• The purpose of Occupational Therapy (OT) is to
  help people increase their functional
  independence in daily life while preventing or
  minimizing disability.
• (AOTA, 2007)

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Function of the Profession

• General
• Occupational therapy is directed to those who
  possess or who are at risk for disability or
  illness
• Services include
• Evaluations
• Intervention in collaboration with the client and
  their family
• Education
• Consultation

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Function of the Profession

• Intervention involves
• Therapeutic use of self
• Adaptation
• Promotion of health and wellness
• Assistive technology
• Application of ergonomic principles

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Function of the Profession

• Developmental Disabilities
• OT Roles
• Interdisciplinary team
• Design interventions
• Education
• Collaboration
• Services
• Feeding skills
• Sensory Integration
• Motor Development
• Environmental Exploration
• Play skills
• Interactions between child and care giver

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Function of the Profession

• Developmental assessments
• Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III
• Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-II
• Miller Assessment for Preschoolers
• First Steps
• Mille Function Participation Scales
• Toddler Infant Motor Evaluations

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Practice Settings

• Early Intervention
• Schools
• Home Health
• Mental Health
• Acute Care
• Inpatient Rehabilitation
• Outpatient Rehabilitation
• Skilled Nursing Facility

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Educational Requirements

• Bachelors degree, comprehensive base in the
  sciences, social sciences, and humanities
• Receive MOT from ACOTE accredited university
• Essential educational components
• Theoretical constructs
• Professional behaviors
• Technical skills
• Ethical standards 

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Licensing Requirements

• Graduate from an accredited OT educational
  program
• Complete fieldwork requirements
• Apply for and pass the NBCOT certification exam
• Apply for a license for each state in which you
  wish to practice or hold a license

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Current Issues

• SCHIP
• Reauthorization of CHIP and add 35 billion in
  federal spending over 5 years
• Suspension of proposed rule by CMS to restrict
  school transportation and administrative costs
  and narrow the definition of rehab services
• President vetoed, going to Congress
• Narrowing the definition of Rehab Services
• Impact community-based services for people with
  mental illness and developmental disabilities
• No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
• Promote access of OT to all students and staff
  who could benefit
• In current draft to allow funding for early
  intervention and school based support
• (AOTA, 2007)

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Occupational Therapy Jargon

• Occupation Activities of everyday life, named,
  organized, and given value and meaning by
  individuals and a culture.
• ADL Activities of daily living. Activities that
  are oriented toward taking care of ones own
  body.
• IADL Instrumental activities of daily living.
  Activities that are oriented toward interacting
  with the environment and that are often complex.
• (AOTA Framework, 2002)
• PECS Picture Exchange Card System. This system
  uses pictures instead of words, and allows
  non-verbal children a way to communicate.
• SI Sensory Integration. A form of occupational
  therapy which supports a child's ability to
  better manage his own body in space.
• (Cronin Mandich,
  2005)

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Related Internet Websites

• American Occupational Therapy Association
  http//www.aota.org
• Ohio Occupational Therapy Association
  http//www.oota.org
• National Board for Certification in Occupational
  Therapy, Inc. http//www.nbcot.org
• World Federation of Occupational Therapists
  http//www.wfot.org
• Allied Medical Professions Occupational Therapy
  http//amp.osu.edu/ot/index.cfm
• Occupational Therapy Systematic Evaluation of
  Evidence http//www.otseeker.com

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References

• American Occupational Therapy Association.
  (2002). Occupational therapy practice framework
  Domain and process. American Journal of
  Occupational Therapy, 56, 609-639.
• Crepeau, E.B., Cohn, E.S. Schell, B.A. (2003).
  Williard and Spackmans Occupational Therapy,
  Tenth Edition. Lippincott Williams Wilkins.
  Philadelphia, PA.
• Cronin, A. Mandich, M. (2005). Human
  Development Performance Throughout the
  Lifespan. Thomson Delmar Learning. Clifton Park,
  NY.
• American Occupational Therapy Association
  Website. (2007). www.aota.org.
• The Ohio State University Occupational Therapy
  Department Website. (2007). http//amp.osu.edu/ot/
  .