What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapists work with individuals to help maintain or improve their ability to participate in activities that are important to them. Occupational therapists view “occupation” as everything you do to occupy your day. This may include self-care activities (bathing, dressing, toileting, grooming, cooking), leisure activities (hobbies, sports, social activities), and productive activities (paid or unpaid work, housework, school).

Examples of how an occupational therapist can help their clients include:

  • Adapting materials and/or equipment. For example, fabricating splints for clients that have arthritis or a repetitive strain injury
  • Performing developmental assessments and providing recommendations to assist preschoolers in attaining age appropriate skills
  • Teaching clients new ways of doing things. For example, teaching safe bathing and dressing following a back injury
  • Teaching clients new ways to cope with stress. For example, through stress management and assertiveness training
  • Performing cognitive and perceptual assessments and developing retraining programs for clients followinga neurological event
  • Making equipment and/or environmental recommendations to increase a client’s safety and independence in their home

 

What are the Qualifications of Occupational Therapists?

In order to practice legally in Prince Edward Island, occupational therapists must have:

  • graduated from a recognized university program
  • completed a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised clinical fieldwork
  • passed the national certification examination before they are eligible to practice
  • registered with the Prince Edward Island Occupational Therapists Registration Board.

 

Who can Benefit from Occupational Therapy?

People of all ages who want to improve their day-to-day living skills (self-care, leisure, productivity) can benefit from occupational therapy. By increasing the client’s independence and sense of purpose the benefits of occupational therapy often extend to the clients family, friends and employers. Examples of health problems that may interfere with one’s day-to-day living skills include:

  • Neurological events – i.e., spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke
  • Mental health problems – i.e., depression, schizophrenia
  • Accident injuries – i.e, motor vehicle or work related
  • Childhood conditions – i.e., autism, ADHD, chromosomal abnormalities, cerebral palsy, spina bifida
  • Neurological conditions – i.e., parkinson's, muscular dystrophy, ALS, multiple sclerosis
  • Orthopedic conditions – arthritis, low back pain, joint replacements
  • Alcohol and substance abuse
  • Cumulative trauma injuries – i.e., tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Burns

 

How do I become an Occupational Therapist?

To work as an occupational therapist on Prince Edward Island, you must complete a university degree, pass a certification exam and be registered with the PEI Occupational Therapists Registration Board. Programs in Canada are listed here: http://www.caot.ca/default.asp?pageID=151