Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy focuses on promoting health and well-being through occupation. Occupation refers to everything that people need and want to do throughout their lives. The primary goal of Occupational Therapy (OT) is to enable individuals to participate in the everyday activities that bring meaning and purpose to their lives.

Occupational therapists work with people of all ages to support engagement in daily life through therapeutic use of meaningful activities. Core areas of occupation include: Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), Rest/Sleep, Education, Work, Play, Leisure, and Social Participation.

ADLs are essential self-care tasks such as bathing, toileting, dressing, feeding, and personal hygiene.
IADLs support independent living and include responsibilities like managing finances, caring for others or pets, driving, and home maintenance.
Rest/Sleep is vital for recovery and sustaining health, and OTs address routines and habits to improve restorative sleep.
Education involves participation in learning environments and can include adapting materials or teaching strategies to support success.
Work includes acquiring, maintaining, and thriving in employment or volunteer roles, from job training to workplace adaptations.
Play is especially important in childhood, providing a foundation for development, exploration, and social engagement.
Leisure activities are personally rewarding pursuits such as gardening, painting, or fishing that contribute to a balanced lifestyle.
Social Participation refers to involvement in meaningful relationships and community interactions.

Because occupation is central to every stage of life, occupational therapists serve a broad range of individuals—from children developing foundational skills to older adults seeking to maintain independence.

Whether recovering from injury, living with a disability, or managing chronic conditions, OT empowers people to live life to the fullest by enhancing their ability to perform and enjoy everyday tasks.

Common Diagnoses: Developmental delay, prematurity, torticollis, sensory processing difficulties
Interventions:

Promoting motor development through guided play and positioning.
Sensory regulation strategies for infants with high irritability or difficulty self-soothing.
Parent education on developmental milestones and bonding through daily routines.

Infants

Common Diagnoses: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), cerebral palsy, sensory processing disorder
Interventions:

Play-based therapy to encourage fine motor skills, coordination, and sensory integration.
Activities to promote ADLs like dressing, toileting, and feeding independence.
Strategies to reduce sensory sensitivities (e.g., aversion to textures or sounds).
Structured routines and social skill development to support communication and interaction.
Retained primitive reflex integration through exercises and changes in movement.

Children (Toddlers–Preschoolers)

Common Diagnoses: ADHD, learning disabilities, developmental coordination disorder, anxiety
Interventions:

Handwriting and visual-motor skills for classroom success.
Executive functioning strategies for attention, task completion, and organization.
Self-regulation tools for managing emotional responses and transitions.
Adaptive techniques for increased independence in IADLs such as meal prep or home responsibilities.

School-Age Children

Common Diagnoses: Stroke, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, arthritis, fall risk
Interventions:

Rehabilitative exercises to regain mobility and independence after injury or illness.
Environmental modifications to promote safety in the home (e.g., grab bars, assistive devices).
Cognitive strategies to manage memory loss and maintain routines in early dementia.
Energy conservation and joint protection techniques for chronic conditions like arthritis.
Support with leisure engagement and social participation to combat isolation.

Older Adults