What Is Occupational Therapy?

Helping people participate in the everyday activities that matter most.

Occupational therapy (OT) uses meaningful everyday activities to support participation, health, and well-being. OT helps people of all ages develop, regain, maintain, or adapt the skills they need for daily life.

In occupational therapy, “occupations” are the activities that give life meaning and purpose. These include caring for yourself and others, learning, working, playing, resting, and participating in your community.

How Can Occupational Therapy Help?

An illness, injury, disability, developmental difference, mental health condition, or changes associated with aging can make everyday activities difficult. Occupational therapy addresses these challenges by considering the person, the activity, and the environment.

OT may help someone learn a new way to complete a task, build skills, establish helpful routines, or use equipment and environmental changes to support participation. Services can also promote wellness and help prevent difficulties before they limit daily life.

What Do Occupational Therapy Services Include?

Services are guided by each person’s needs, priorities, and goals. Individualized occupational therapy typically includes:

  • Evaluation: An occupational therapist learns about your daily activities, interests, strengths, challenges, and surroundings.

  • A personalized plan: You and your occupational therapist identify meaningful goals and a plan to address them.

  • Intervention: Activities, strategies, adaptations, and education help you work toward your goals.

  • Review of progress: Your occupational therapist evaluates outcomes and updates the plan as your needs change.

Depending on your goals, services may address:

  • Personal care: Dressing, bathing, grooming, toileting, eating, and feeding.

  • Daily routines: Preparing meals, managing a home, organizing tasks, and managing health routines.

  • School and play: Participating in classroom activities, developing play skills, and interacting with others.

  • Work: Developing or rebuilding skills for job tasks and adapting work activities.

  • Mental health: Building coping strategies, supportive routines, and skills for meaningful daily participation.

  • Thinking and sensory skills: Using strategies for attention, memory, planning, sensory processing, or vision challenges.

  • Movement and access: Improving abilities needed for daily tasks and using adaptive equipment, assistive technology, or mobility devices.

  • Home and community participation: Adapting environments and addressing transportation, driving, leisure, and social activities.

  • Family and caregiver support: Teaching practical strategies to support participation and safety.

Services vary according to the individual’s needs and the practitioner’s training and expertise.

Who Provides Occupational Therapy?

In Texas, occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) are licensed by the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners.

Occupational therapists conduct evaluations and develop and manage the occupational therapy plan of care. Occupational therapy assistants help carry out that plan under an occupational therapist’s supervision.

Where Are Services Provided?

Occupational therapy practitioners work in homes, schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation programs, long-term care facilities, mental health programs, and community settings. Services may include individual sessions, group interventions, consultation, and education.

Could Occupational Therapy Help You or Someone You Know?

If everyday activities are becoming difficult, ask a health care professional or an occupational therapy provider how OT may help support your goals.

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