“Occupational therapy is the only profession that helps people across the lifespan to do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations)” – AOTA on Occupational Therapy Month.
April is OT Month, so it’s the perfect time to celebrate occupational therapists. 2017 also marks 100 years of occupational therapy! Allied Travel Careers would like to give thanks to all the OT’s who dedicate their own lives to help others live life to the fullest.
What Exactly is Occupational Therapy?
What do occupational therapists actually do?
A lot of people don’t even know what OT’s do, so we’re here to help. Occupational therapists can help a person throughout their whole life with specialized evaluations and interventions for different ages and situations. For example, an OT can help children with disabilities to participate in school and social settings, aid in recovery from an injury, help to regain skills, and support elders in everyday activities.
OT’s take a holistic approach to therapy, focusing on adapting the environment or task to fit the person. By conducting individualized evaluations with the client, the OT can determine the person’s goals and current state. Each individual will have a customized intervention plan to improve daily activities and to reach goals. Throughout the process, OT’s will assess progress to make sure goals are being met and to make any changes that are necessary.
Now that you know how awesome they are, you can join us in celebrating occupational therapists!
Celebrating Occupational Therapy Month
If you know an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant, make sure you show them some love this month. Here are a few ways to show your appreciation and raise awareness for the often-misunderstood occupation.
Give Thanks
Celebrating occupational therapists can be as simple as thanking the OT in your life. Recognition is one of the most gratifying forms of appreciation, and it doesn’t have to be a big shebang. If you work with OT’s, let your co-workers know that their work doesn’t go unnoticed. A quick thank you note could make someone’s day, or you can dive a bit further and take him/her to lunch or even give a small gift.
Raise Money
Since OT’s give so much, celebrating occupational therapists by raising money for an OT-focused charity seems to make sense. This is a great way to show your support for the profession and OT’s across the nation. A few examples could be starting a crowdfunding campaign, setting up a donation box, or suggesting that your company host a fundraising event such as a walk, run, or conference.
Use Social Media
Share or post some news about Occupational Therapy Month or general information to raise awareness and promote the industry. If you really want to get into it, you can create original content such as blogs or memes to show your love and support for the profession.
So, on the behalf of all of us at Allied Travel Careers, THANK YOU to all of the occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants out there! Your efforts make the world a better place and allow people to live their lives to the fullest. Feel free to check out and share some of our occupational therapy blogs to celebrate occupational therapy month!
