Occupational+Therapy

﻿Occupational Therapy An Occupational Therapist has a very simple job: To help and assist people with emotional or physical disabilities. To do this they use productive and creative activities to further understand their patient. Understanding is key in being an occupational therapist. They must understand the patient in ways that the patient can't, they notice and record certain things that can be used to better situations in life for the patient. They also help patients with many sorts of disabilities to work through everyday tasks. Though occupational therapist are active in physical and psychological fields, only the psychological field will be covered in this Wiki. (AOTA, 2011) Occupational therapy requires a very high level of specialization and a minimum of a master's degree in the field. The degree must come from an accredited school and will usually require a period of fieldwork under a supervisor. It is usually helpful to take as many psychology related classes as possible in high school, and to have a bachelor's in psychology. The extensive study's of psychology give the occupational therapist an advantage when it comes to reading their patients and drawing information that is not clearly displayed. There are many schools that offer programs for occupational therapists, such as, the Brown Mackie College, D'Youville College, and the New England Institute of Technology. These schools offer programs for occupational therapist from the assistant level, to a full master's degree. (Nutt, 2009) When it comes to jobs in the field of occupational therapy, a physical therapist is the most common. Other common jobs are to help special needs children, and many others with disabilities. They also help to rehabilitate. An occupational therapist has many choices for careers depending on what they specialize in. School, hospitals, retirement homes, and working with special needs children. They have plenty of options.A job in schools would require one to specialize mainly with special needs children and learning assist. But a job in a hospital will require knowledge of physical therapy and of special needs children. In all, most people will never meet an occupational therapist because of how specialized they are. They are only there for a certain type of people that they specialize in, know the most about, and can help the most. Helping is their main job. They struggle to help others to have an easier life, to learn easier, and to live better. Though they go through extensive schooling, it is all neccesary for them to fully meet the expectations of their job. Nutt, Amy "Can a Bachelor Degree in Psychology Lead to Occupational Therapy Jobs?." 24 Jun. 2009 //EzineArticles.com.//
 * Introduction:**[[image:gizzisgoodies/mainImg.jpg width="320" height="213" align="right" caption="Occupational Therapists help mentally challenged children func tion in a normal school setting."]]
 * [[image:gizzisgoodies/9780443061592.jpg width="210" height="280" align="left" caption="Book that suggests strategies for occupational therapists."]] Education Options and Requirements: ** [[image:gizzisgoodies/24230.gif align="right" caption="Brown Mackie College offers the required classes, courses, and degrees to become an occupational therapist.."]]
 * Jobs and Careers: **
 * Conclusion: **
 * Works Cited: **

Unknown, (2011) []

Unknown, (2011) []

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, //Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition//, Occupational Therapists, on the Internet at @http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos078.htm