What Does An Occupational Therapists Do? – University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (2:47 version)
Children at home and school, burn survivors, seniors adjusting to new living situations, inmates preparing to return to their communities: occupational therapy reaches all of them. Faculty at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) each name one part of the work, from helping premature babies eat and drink safely to teaching adaptive surfing, evaluating wheelchair needs and advising employers on safer workplaces.
What ties it together is a simple definition. Occupational therapy is a holistic profession that helps people across the lifespan do what they want and need to do. Using meaningful daily activities, practitioners support people facing disability, trauma, age-related changes and social challenges so they can take part in home, school, work, sports and community life.
For anyone considering a career in occupational therapy, this video offers a clear picture of the range of the profession .
Transcript
What Does An Occupational Therapists Do_ – University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
[00:00:00] Speaker: I show children different ways to master their many environments from home, school, and play. [00:00:14] I work in people’s homes after they leave the hospital. [00:00:18] I help burn survivors manage their wound care and return to performing their everyday activities. [00:00:23] I help young adults identify more productive leisure interests. [00:00:28] I help my community age in place. [00:00:30] I help seniors adapt to new living environments. [00:00:33] I help premature babies eat and drink safely. [00:00:37] I help children participate in school. [00:00:40] I support people labeled with mental illness to participate in employment and education, to develop life skills, and to manage their health and wellbeing. [00:00:47] I show people how to perform self-care skills. [00:00:51] I show children and adults with permanent impairments how to participate in adaptive surfing. [00:00:59] I teach applied anatomy to OT students. [00:01:03] I teach adolescents important life skills. [00:01:06] I teach those with disabilities to drive. [00:01:10] I evaluate individuals to be prescribed wheelchairs. [00:01:14] I use animals with clients to help them develop physical, emotional, and mental health skills so they can succeed. [00:01:21] I help soldiers who have experienced traumatic brain injury. [00:01:25] I help inmates plan successful reentry to their communities. [00:01:29] I treat workplace injuries. [00:01:31] I consult with employers on how to modify a work environment for a more productive, safe, and effective work experience. [00:01:41] I am an occupational therapist. [00:01:43] I am an occupational therapist. [00:01:46] I’m an occupational therapist. [00:01:48] I’m an occupational therapist. [00:01:49] I am, too. [00:01:51] I’m an occupational therapist. [00:01:55] So what is occupational therapy? Occupational therapy is a holistic profession that helps individuals across the lifespan do the things they want and need to do. [00:02:06] By using occupations, those daily activities that provide purpose and meaning, therapists and therapy assistants support those with disability, trauma, age-related changes, and social challenges to participate in their homes, schools, sports, social circles, jobs, and their communities. Occupational therapy practitioners work in a variety of settings in multiple roles, working alongside the person served. [00:02:31] If you’re interested in making a difference in the lives of others, consider a career as an occupational therapy practitioner and support others to live life to its fullest.
