Occupational therapists are regulated health care professionals who work to assist people with physical, cognitive, developmental and emotional disabilities to function independently within their community.

Occupational therapists strive to assist their clients to resume or maintain participation in tasks that they consider meaningful including taking care of oneself, being productive in the community, and enjoying leisure interests.

Occupational therapists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, community health centres, rehabilitation clinics, large production companies, correctional facilities, the workers compensation system, and independently within the community.

Occupational therapists treat clients by providing education and solutions on ways to better manage challenging tasks, by providing equipment to make difficult tasks easier or safer to complete, by recommending community services to address a specific client need, or by assisting a client to access a funding source to facilitate recovery from an injury or illness. In some instances occupational therapists will provide hands on therapy using well established therapeutic techniques, or, if trained, may offer manipulation and modality therapy.

Occupational and physical therapists have a similar focus when treating clients – to help people resume functional life considering a disability. However, physical therapists help people to RECOVER from their disability, while occupational therapists help people to LIVE with their disability (whether permanent or temporary). Some client’s may have an injury (i.e. a sprained ankle) that is painful but does not limit them from completing daily tasks. In this case they would only require physical therapy in order to decrease pain and increase strength in the injured joint. On the other hand, some clients may have a disability that is permanent (i.e. an amputated limb) and thus would not benefit from further physical therapy once they have stabilized from the acute trauma. Yet, they may require occupational therapy to assist them to resume functional life by way of education on alternate task completion, or on prescription and instruction on how to use various compensatory devices.

If you are hospitalized as a result of an illness or injury that causes a resulting disability, you will likely be referred to an occupational therapist while in hospital. This person will clearly explain their role and will work with your overall rehabilitation team in order to facilitate your discharge. Should you continue to require occupational therapy once discharged, your hospital therapist will likely arrange these services through the local Community Care Access Centre (or CCAC) (should no other funding sources be applicable). Alternatively, if you feel that you or a relative require occupational therapy services, you can self-refer to your local CCAC or can discuss same with your doctor.

If you are injured at work or in a motor vehicle accident then you may be referred to an occupational therapist by way of third party funding (auto insurance or WSIB). In this case, the occupational therapist typically does not work for the funding source, but rather assists the funding source to identify your rehabilitation needs to help you return to function within your home, workplace, and community.

If you are a parent who has a child with a disability, your family doctor or pediatrician will likely refer your child to a local pediatric rehabilitation clinic for occupational therapy assessment and treatment. In this case, the occupational therapist will work with your child in order to assist them to achieve developmental milestones, to be able to explore their environment through play, to prescribe equipment to enhance function, and to assist your child to enter and succeed in school. The therapist will also ensure that you as a parent are adjusting to and managing your demands as the caregiver for your child with a disability.

The assistive devices program (or ADP) is a government funded program aimed to help people to be able to purchase certain health care devices (wheelchairs, walkers, etc) that they require as a result of a disability. In all cases, the client requires that the item be prescribed by an authorized ADP professional, most commonly an occupational or physical therapist. For more information on ADP please visit your local supplier of health care items, or contact the government at 1-800-268-1154 or visit their website at www.health.gov.on.ca.