Occupational Therapy Schools

Achieving Independence
Occupational therapy is skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives, and therefore improves the quality of their lives. Thus, the occupational therapy career goal, as summarized by the American Occupational Therapy Association motto, is "helping people of all ages develop skills for the job of living."

Occupational therapy assistants accomplish that goal by working under the direction of occupational therapists to provide rehabilitative services to people with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental impairments. Those in an occupational therapy career help clients not only improve basic motor functions and reasoning abilities, but also compensate for permanent loss of function.

Services provided by occupational therapy assistants include customized treatment programs to improve clients' ability to perform daily activities, comprehensive home and job-site evaluations with adaptation recommendations, performance skills assessments and treatment, adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training, and guidance to family members and caregivers.

Skills for Life
Helping people succeed in life requires a great deal of skill and training, which you can acquire from occupational therapy schools. In 2005, 135 occupational therapy schools had accredited associate degree programs.

Study at occupational therapy schools involves an introduction to health care, basic medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology, as well as more rigorous coursework in mental health, adult physical disabilities, gerontology, and pediatrics. Plus, those pursuing an occupational therapy career must complete 16 weeks of supervised fieldwork in a clinic or community setting.

Before you get started in your occupational therapy career, however, you must pass the certification exam offered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, and earn the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant credential. Once you're certified, you'll need to apply to your state to receive a license or permit to practice occupational therapy.

A Helping Profession
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupational therapy assistants held about 21,000 jobs in 2004. And, employment of occupational therapy assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average (27 percent or more) for all occupations through 2014.

Median annual earnings of occupational therapy assistants were $38,430 in May 2004, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $52,700.

Start studying at occupational therapy schools, and gain the satisfaction that comes from helping those who can't help themselves.

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