New York State
Occupational Therapy Association

What services do occupational therapy practitioners provide?

Through evaluation and treatment, occupational therapy practitioners help people perform functional activities such as:

• caring for personal needs such as bathing and dressing
• participating in school, work and leisure pursuits
• performing household tasks, such as shopping and cooking
• being involved in job tasks and participating in the community
• relearning use of an injured hand or limb
• selection of adaptive equipment for tasks including reaching, bathing, and homemaking

Where is occupational therapy available?

• hospitals and outpatient centers
• public and private schools
• nursing homes
• state institutions
• mental health centers
• daycare programs
• home health agencies
• private practices
• retirement communities
• senior centers

Who can benefit from occupational therapy?

People of any age whose ability to function in daily life has been affected by health problems such as:

• Arthritis
• Burns
• Stroke
• Amputation
• Hand Injury
• Birth Defects
• Mental Retardation
• Alzheimer’s
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Depression
• Learning Disability
• Substance Abuse
• Mental Health Impairment