If you’re looking for help restoring your independence, an occupational therapist may be the perfect solution!

The first step in working with an occupational therapist is to schedule an initial consultation. During this meeting, the therapist will ask about your medical history, current symptoms, and goals for treatment. They will also perform a physical assessment to determine which activities may be difficult for you. Based on this information, they will develop a customized treatment plan to help you regain your independence.

An occupational therapist can help you with many different activities including:

Self-care activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating.
Instrumental activities of daily living such as cooking, cleaning and using the telephone or computer.
Leisure pursuits such as hobbies or playing sports.
Work tasks such as typing or using a cash register.
School tasks such as writing or using scissors

There is a wide range of reasons why a person may benefit from consulting an occupational therapist. This may include accessing assistance to adjust to life after sustaining an injury, acquiring a short- or long-term illness or disability, or being in a period of major life adjustment which is impacting health and wellbeing. Occupational therapists work with people with both physical and mental health illnesses and disabilities. Some key areas of activity where occupational therapists may provide support include:

Daily living activities such as showering, dressing, grooming, and eating;
Multi-step activities that may involve caring for others such as household management activities, shopping, childcare, budgeting, banking, financial management, home maintenance, and driving.
Education activities that allow a person to participate as a learner in a learning environment.
Leisure and play activities.
Social participation; and
Work (paid and unpaid)

Occupational therapists offer a broad range of services to individuals and groups, or they can assist at a more strategic level. Their support may include:

Therapeutic use of occupations, and activities, including the therapeutic use of self (including one’s personality, insights, perceptions, and judgments, as part of the therapeutic process

Skill development in self-care, self-management, home management, and community/work/school reintegration;

Education and support of individuals, including family members, caregivers, and others, through collaborative and consultative partnerships and family-centered approaches.

Care coordination, case management, and transition services including discharge planning, client advocacy, and onward referral to relevant services.
Modification of environments (e.g., home, work, school, community) and adaptation of processes, including the application of ergonomic principles.

Assessment, customization, and oversight of equipment provision including orthotic devices, and training in the use of prosthetic devices;
Driver rehabilitation and community mobility.
Use of natural contexts for assessment and intervention (i.e. home, school classrooms, work settings, community).

Use of a range of specific therapeutic procedures to enhance performance such as wound care management, techniques to enhance sensory, perceptual, and cognitive processing, and manual therapy technique skills.