OCCUPATIONAL THERAPYPatricia Creighton H.B.K., MSc O.T.

O.T. Reg. (Ont.)

What is O.T.?

Occupational therapy is the art and science of enabling engagement in everyday living, through occupation; of enabling people to perform the occupations that foster health and well-being; and of enabling a just and inclusive society so that all people may participate to their potential in the daily occupations of life (Townsend& Polatajko, 2007, p. 372).

Allied Health Professional

Definitions

Occupation refers to everything that people do during the course of everyday life.

Self Care, Productivity & Leisure Occupations describe who we are. Can be: roles, tasks, activities Goal of an O.T. is to assist in enabling a person

to perform such tasks, despite illness, injury or disease process, facilitate independence.

This can be achieved through teaching, coaching, prescribing equipment, educating

Canadian Model of Occupational Performance & Engagement

For example:

Prescribe equipment or assistive technology to enable a young man live independently after sustaining a SCI

Teach people who have had an elective THA or hip fracture to dress independently within hip movement precautions

Consult in schools to assist children overcome fine motor, gross motor difficulties or prescribe sensory management strategies.

Recommend home modifications to allow an older couple live in their home.

Teach relaxation strategies or coping skills

Where do O.T.s work?

Settings can include hospitals, schools, community health centres workplaces, a client’s home (community practice)

In each setting, O.T. has a different role, practice can look different with same guiding principles.

Multi-Disciplinary Team ** Physical or Mental Health focus Can be an employee, independent

practitioner, consultant

Educational Requirements

2010 Master’s level entry Undergraduate degree with post

graduate master’s program – length can vary according to specific school program

Part of education is 1000 hours of supervised fieldwork experience – Placements

After graduation - CAOT Certification Exam

Registration with Provincial Regulatory body (COTO) Professional Organizations

O.T. Programs in Canada

University of BC, Vancouver University of Alberta, Edmonton University of Manitoba, Winnipeg University of Western Ontario, London McMaster University University of Toronto University of Ottawa Queens University, Kingston McGill University, Montreal Laval University, Quebec City Dalhousie University, Halifax

Want more info?

www.caot.ca www.otworks.ca www.osot.ca

pcreighton@kdh.on.ca

Resources

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. (2007). Profile of occupational  therapy practice in Canada. Ottawa, ON: CAOT.

Townsend, E.A. & Polatajko, H. J. (2007). Enabling occupation II: Advancing an    occupational therapy vision for health, well-being & justice through occupation. Ottawa, ON: CAOT