What does an Occupational Therapist actually do?

10 Jun 2023

Unless you or someone you know has needed an Occupational Therapist (OT), chances are most people don’t know the hugely diverse areas OTs work in. This is why its very important to note – given the diversity generally most OTs have one or more specialist areas. So when you are looking for an OT, shop around to find someone that has experience in the area you need.

This job is NOT a one size fits all approach, the OT has to be innovate and creative how to best help the client and draw on their experience, be up to date with the current best ways for management of the condition, and be comfortable to say to a client – this is not my area, but I suggest you see ….

Here are some areas that OTs specialise in, just to give you an idea of the huge variety out there:

  • Acute Hospital (Sub specialties within)
  • Mental Health
  • NDIS
  • Paediatrics and Young People
  • Neurodiverse (ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia)
  • Rehabilitation
  • Hand Therapy
  • Cancer
  • Driving Assessment
  • Neurological (Stroke, Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy, Huntington’s Disease)
  • Occupational Rehab (Following an work place accident or impairment)
  • Home and Environmental Modifications
  • Prescription of Assistive Technology (Equipment like shower chairs, wheelchair etc)
  • Complex Seating and Pressure Care Management
  • Complex Wheelchair Scripting
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Geriatrics
  • Research
  • Lymphoedema Management
  • Community Health
  • Diabetes
  • Complex
  • Vision Impairment
  • Palliative Care