Let's Talk Series: Occupational Therapists are not...

As an occupational therapist, I spend a lot of time explaining what I do.  It comes with the title. 

What is an OT? What do you do? 

The definition is broad and we assist a wide range of people, of all ages, in a wide range of tasks. 

Fundamentally, occupational therapists assist people to live in a way that helps them to do daily tasks participating in their communities. We look at the person, the task and the environment using our "applied science" backgrounds, creatively collaborating to achieve positive outcomes!  Read more about the "just right challenge" HERE. 

BUT...

There are plenty of things OTs are NOT. 

• Occupational Therapists are not PARENTS to your children.

We are not going to make decisions for you, tell you what your priorities should be, set your child's boundaries, show them the same engagement and attachment that they can only get from you as parents. We are here to be partners with you, to collaborate with you, to provide insights from our perspective and to provide strategies to assist with achieving goals for you to implement.

• Occupational Therapists are not ENTERTAINERS for your children.

We are not seeing your children to make them laugh, fill in time, transport them out of reality or give them a technology fix.  Our sessions  may be fun, playful and engaging ... always with a purpose. Read more about about how OTs use PLAY. 

• Occupational Therapists are not BABYSITTERS for your children.

We are not looking after your children so that parents and teachers can have a break.  If you need a break, we can support you to help you find carers or respite to help. 

• Occupational Therapists are not TEACHERS.

We do teach your children skills and teach you skills as parents, but we don't focus on reading, spelling, numeracy and literacy like teachers do. We partner with teachers to help with classroom modifications, grading activities and explaining underlying difficulties. 

• Occupational Therapists are not PSCYHOLOGISTS.

We may help with behaviour management and regulation but we are not relationship experts.  Occupational Therapists don't provide diagnostic testing on behaviour, intelligence, development and learning disabilities. We partner with psychologists with learning, development and regulation needs for your child. 

• Occupational Therapists are not SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS.

We may help your child to communicate but we don't analyze receptive and expressive communication delays and difficulties. We partner with speech pathologists to help your child with communication and feeding.

• Occupational Therapists are not PHYSIOTHERAPISTS.

There is an old definition that Physios (Physical therapists) will see you from the waist down and OTs will go from the waist up.  This definition is probably not a helpful one as the overlap between the professions has increased over the years that I have practiced.  Gross motor skills, postural stability, core strength and function are the main areas of overlap... Occupational Therapists do not generally work purely on muscle skeletal issues, pain management and range of movement.  We partner with Physios to help achieve functional goals. 

• Occupational Therapists are not DOCTORS.

We cannot give exact prescriptions. This can be frustrating for all involved.  We can't say "play this game x number of times, do this activity with playdough x times a day, practice breathing for x minutes"  and your child will be able to xyz.... It just doesn't work that way. Each child is an individual and activities are chosen to address learning needs. It is important to understand (and for OTs to explain) why an activity is beneficial. 

OTs are a diverse bunch of professionals with special interest areas that cross all of these areas I have just mentioned. Some have extra training and experience with trauma, mental health, feeding, nutrition, social skills, equipment prescription, vision, toiletting, etc. 

OTs are TEAM PLAYERs. 
We work hard to have the same "game play" as everyone on the team so that the goals for the individual child can be achieved.  
OTs are LEARNERS.
We are constantly upgrading our own skills and learning from you (child, parents, others). 
OTs are CARERS.
We do care about your children.  We often "care" beyond the time allotted for us to see your child and for years afterwards. 

Read more about Paediatric assessment using the Occupational Performance Model (Australia). 

Do you have something that you would add to these lists?  What are occupational therapists to you? What are they not? 

Cindy is a registered occupational therapist practising in Sydney, Australia.  She has two growing children who are a constant source of inspiration and learning.  Cindy loves working creatively to help children to reach their potential, finding opportunities in everyday living and making learning fun. She is also addicted to making printables (even when they take a long time to complete).  Cindy is the author of the Occupational Therapy blog Your Kids OT.  Read more articles from Your Kids OT at https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog

Cindy is a member of the Functional Skills for Kids Therapy Team.  They have together published THE HANDWRITING BOOK, THE SCISSORS SKILLS BOOK and THE TOILETING BOOK.

​The information on this site is general in nature. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. Affiliate links are used throughout this website to promote recommended products. Your Kids OT receives a small commission if any purchases are made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details. ​​​
Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/yourkidsot
YKOT shop:  https://www.yourkidsot.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Your-Kids-Ot
You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZUz_5nYEOCkj32DiOCQo4Q/featured
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourkidsot
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourkidsot/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/yourkidsot/
​

---