Occupational therapists are health care professionals that help people to learn, relearn, or manage everyday activities. Occupational therapists assess people’s difficulties when completing tasks, then design solutions to help them perform the treatment or activities needed to overcome their problems.
They help to optimize what people can do safely and efficiently.
Occupational Therapists do not directly treat health problems or conditions but use therapy and psychotherapy to help people live with their problems and gain independence. They provide services to anyone facing difficulties with day-to-day activities due to an accident, age-related changes, disability, health condition, or an emotional or developmental disorder. Some conditions occupational therapists help manage to include:
Occupational therapists provide services throughout the healthcare system, including hospitals, care facilities, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, recreation centers, schools, clinics, etc. Some of these services include:
In Ontario, “Occupational Therapist” is a regulated profession subject to the Standards for Practice defined by the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario. For more information on regulatory colleges, view our What is a Regulatory College page.