DEFINITION OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Since the establishment of occupational therapy as a profession in 1917, the definition of occupational therapy has grown, developed, and changed with the times. Occupational therapy covers multiple domains across the lifespan. Practitioners, faculty, and students are often challenged to capture the unique core, yet ever-widening scope of the profession to a brief answer to question: “What is occupational therapy?”

The following are definitions of occupational therapy, written by leaders in the field since the profession’s inception.

“[o]ccupational therapy is the science of instructing and encouraging the sick in such labors as will involve those energies and activities producing a beneficial therapeutic effect.” (Barton, 1919, p. 62)

“Occupational therapy may be defined as any activity, mental or physical, definitely prescribed and guided for the distinct purpose of contributing to and hastening recovery from disease or injury.” (Dunton, 1950, p. 4)

“…the art and science of using selected theories form a variety of disciplines and professions as a guide for collaborating with a client in order to assess that individual’s ability to perform life tasks and, if necessary, to assist the individual in acquiring the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to perform required life tasks. Of primary concern to the occupational therapist are individuals whose abilities to cope with tasks of daily living are threatened or impaired by biological, psychological, or sociological stress, trauma, or deficit…” (Mosey, 1981, p. 3)

“Occupational therapy includes the study of human occupations in relation to personal health, life satisfaction, and sense of well-being and the management of adaptive behavior or component performance required to perform these occupations. The study of occupation entails analysis of the kinds of occupations, requirements for their performance, and the meaning or significance of each.” (Reed & Sanderson, 1999, p. 10-11)

“Occupational therapy is the art and science of helping people to do the day-to-day activities that are important and meaningful to their health and well-being through engagement in valued occupations.” (Crepeau, Cohn, & Schell, 2003, p. 28)

“…occupational therapists provide services to persons whose impairments interfere with satisfying participation with their everyday occupations.” (Kielhofner, 2004, p. 4)

“Occupational therapy is skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. Occupational therapy assists people in developing the "skills for the job of living" necessary for independent and satisfying lives.” (AOTA, 2008)

References

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2008). What is occupational therapy?
Retrieved on January 8, 2008 from http://www.aota.org/Consumers/WhatisOT.aspx.

Barton, G. (1919). Teaching the sick. Philadelphia: Saunders.

Crepeau, E.B., Cohn, E.S., & Schell, B.B. (2003). Occupational therapy practice. In E.B.
Crepeau, E.S. Cohn, & B.B. Schell (Eds.), Willard and spackman’s occupational   therapy (10th ed., Chapter 3, pp. 27-45). Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Dunton, W.R. (1950). A lecture on occupational therapy. Wilma L. West Library
Archives.

Kielhofner, G. (2004). Conceptual foundations of occupational therapy (3rd ed.).
Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company.

Mosey, A. C. (1981). Occupational therapy: Configuration of a profession. New York:
Raven Press.

Reed, K. L., & Sanderson, S. N. (1999). Concepts of occupational therapy (4th ed.).
Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.