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 Occupational
therapist assistants work under the direction of occupational therapists to
provide rehabilitative services to persons with mental, physical,
emotional, or developmental impairments. The ultimate goal is to improve
clients' quality of life and ability to perform daily activities. For
example, occupational therapist assistants help injured workers re-enter
the labor force by teaching them how to compensate for lost motor skills or
help individuals with learning disabilities increase their independence.
Occupational therapist assistants, commonly known as occupational
therapy assistants, help clients with rehabilitative activities and
exercises outlined in a treatment plan developed in collaboration with an
occupational therapist.
They help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills
needed for daily living and working. Occupational therapy assistants are
directly involved in providing therapy to patients; occupational therapy
aides typically perform support activities and work under the direction of
occupational therapists.
Activities range from teaching the proper method of moving
from a bed into a wheelchair to the best way to stretch and limber the
muscles of the hand. Assistants monitor an individual's activities to make
sure that they are performed correctly and to provide encouragement. They
also record their client's progress for the occupational therapist. If the
treatment is not having the intended effect, or the client is not improving
as expected, the therapist may alter the treatment program in hopes of
obtaining better results. In addition, occupational therapist assistants
document the billing of the client's health insurance provider.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the US
Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor
Statistics.
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