Occupational therapists help people of all ages fully engage in their daily lives, from their work and recreation to daily activities like getting dressed, cooking, eating and driving. As an occupational therapist, you will use your skills to treat injured, ill or disabled patients, helping them recover and improve the skills they need for daily living.
You may choose to specialize your occupational therapy practice, for instance, working with
- premature babies at a pediatric hospital,
- children with cerebral palsy or Down syndrome,
- older adults in nursing homes,
- accident victims or
- people with mental illnesses.
New specialties for occupational therapists are emerging every day as well, like training office workers to use the correct ergonomics, working with architects and construction companies to make buildings and homes more accessible or helping students in school who have learning disabilities or behavioral problems.