Who Benefits From Occupational Therapy Services?

Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners work with a diverse range of populations, including:

Children: OT practitioners work with children with developmental delays, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory processing disorders, and many more. They may help children develop the skills or modify tasks necessary for academic success, such as handwriting, fine motor skills, and self-regulation.

Adults: OT practitioners work with adults with physical, mental, or cognitive impairments. They may help these individuals develop or regain the skills or modify tasks necessary for daily living, such as self-care, work, leisure, and community participation.

Older adults: OT practitioners work with older adults with age-related impairments or chronic illnesses like dementia or arthritis. They may help these individuals to improve their skills or maintain their independence, mobility, and quality of life.

Individuals with mental illness: OT practitioners work with individuals with mental illness or behavioral disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or addiction. They may help these individuals develop coping skills, manage daily routines, and participate in meaningful activities.

Individuals with chronic conditions: OT practitioners work with individuals with chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease. They may help these individuals manage their condition and develop healthy habits to improve their quality of life.

Individuals with neurological conditions: OT practitioners work with individuals with neurological disorders, such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, or multiple sclerosis. They may help these individuals develop or regain the skills necessary for daily living and community participation.

OT practitioners work with various populations to help them engage in meaningful occupations and achieve their goals. They use a client-centered approach, emphasizing the individual’s unique needs, goals, and strengths. In addition, OT practitioners work collaboratively with clients and their families to develop personalized treatment plans that address the individual’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. 

In my case, I have some experience working with all the different populations that I have written about above. In my university, as student interns, we had the chance to rotate to different settings exposing ourselves to working with various individuals for a year.  After graduating, I worked in the Philippines for a year as a part-time OT in the hospital and pediatric centers. Then after coming here to the US, I was under an agency for traveling therapists, getting assigned to different SNFs and home health staffing agencies. I am currently working as a full-time home health occupational therapist for seniors. Based on my experiences, I like working with the geriatric population, or the young at heart, as I call them. This is because I like listening to their stories and thinking of ways for them to try to become independent again and improve their quality of life safely. 

How about you? Which population have you worked with as an OT, and which do you like working with? Why? Kindly share it in the comment section below!

Thank you for reading! Continue to adapt to change and enjoy life!