Occupational Therapist Benton Harbor MI

The American Occupational Therapy Association was founded by William dunton, who promoted the idea that occupation was therapeutic; these statements made came the conclusions that occupation can have an effect on wellness and health, that it can create structure and organize time, and that occupation can bring meaning to one’s life.

An occupational therapists job is to help their patients improve their quality of life in many key areas. They help with basic, everyday motor functions and reasoning abilities, in both physical and mental problems. They help people perform every day tasks and function well in society. The goal of an occupational therapists job is to help their patients live an independent and product lifestyle, with or without their injury or disability. Occupational therapists are employed in many different areas, from hospitals, to schools, to nursing homes and much more. This fast growing field allows the therapist to interact on a personal level with their patient, and aid in the growth of both mental and physical development. The goal of the occupational therapist is to heal the patient of their problems so that their life can go on without their services.

There are many people who may benefit from the use of occupational therapy. These include people who may have had a work-related injury, including, but not limited to, lower back problems, carpal tunnel, head injuries, mental problems and more. They can help with sprains that become repetitive, limitations one might suffer after a stroke or heart attack occurs, or any age related illness such as having arthritis. Occupational Therapists also help in the areas of brain injury, neurodegenerative movement disorders that may include multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease, or other learning disabilities that can affect a person’s mental and physical movement.

Occupational therapists’ jobs do not end there. A baby that has suffered injuries during birth may be a good candidate for therapy, as is one that suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome. Accidents can occur that cause lasting damage, such as a bad fall, burns, fractures, or sports injuries. Occupational therapy can help in these areas as well. A therapist can also help those who have obsessive compulsive disorder, autism, perceptual or cogitative impairments, among other illnesses. Occupational therapists work with many areas and have a lot of expertise in a wide variety of issues.

One of the best parts of working in the occupational therapy field is that there are many places that one can work. Therapists can work in outpatient clinics, helping those who have been injured at work, in an accident or at school, as a few examples. They can also work in long-term care, such as a nursing home, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and clinics. Therapists can work in burn centers, pediatrics, in-patient and out-patient hospital settings, forensic units, homeless shelters and much more.

Occupational therapists may also work in community based practices. This is the practice of moving away from hospitals and rehabilitation clinic type settings into a setting that is not as typical, such as a homeless shelter. There are many types of community based jobs that one can work in the occupational field. These may be in day care centers or child development centers, where the skills of an occupational therapist could be greatly used. Occupational Therapists also work with schools, many times private ones, to provide services on a one-on-one basis with the kids in a relaxed setting. Some people choose to have occupational therapy services provided in their own homes for ease and convenience; however, this may be quite costly. Some jobs may even include providing a program that helps those who are returning to the workforce after an injury. This type of program can really help those who have been out of work for a very long time.