Frequently Asked about Occupational Therapy Assistant
What is the definition of occupational therapy?
Occupational therapists are health care specialists who assist people in living as independently as feasible.
They specialize in assisting people who are sick, handicapped, or developmentally challenged in gaining the skills they need to function in society.
Occupational therapy (OT) focuses on tasks as simple as getting dressed and eating to as sophisticated as socializing and maintaining a job.
Where do Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA) often work?
OTAs are most typically employed in the following fields:
- Facilities for assisted living or skilled nursing care.
- Rehabilitation centers, schools, and hospitals.
What is the difference between a therapist and an occupational therapy assistant?
Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) are required by law to work under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist (OT).
The occupational therapy practitioner who is most likely to evaluate, prepare treatment reports, develop intervention objectives, and make final discharge recommendations will be the OT who leads the intervention process.
Both the OTA and the OT work directly with patients to help them reach their therapeutic goals.
A successful OT/OTA team works together to deliver the best possible therapy. Under the guidance of a physician, an OTA will need to use clinical reasoning abilities.
