Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy services focus on developing a child or adult's ability to perform activities of daily life, such as bathing, dressing and feeding, by enhancing or restoring function lost due to injury, disease, aging or congenital abnormality. Easter Seals licensed occupational therapists incorporate the use of adaptive methods and devices, such as reachers or splints; sensorimotor rehabilitation to calm or focus attention; purposeful, everyday activity and fine motor skill development to promote independence in self-care; work and productive activities; and play or leisure skills. Treatment may aim to:

• Improve independence in self care, such as dressing, bathing, cooking or work skills
• Improve development of age-appropriate play and learning skills
• Improve fine-motor dexterity (coordination), behavior and social skills components and sensory or perceptual processing
• Develop specialized seating and positioning
• Achieve independence in vocational pursuits
• Develop workplace accommodations, assistive technology and devices
• Provide driver training for adults with disabilities
• Provide low vision rehabilitation

Services may be provided in an Easter Seals outpatient clinic, child development center, or adult day program, as well as at home, at school, and in a variety of other care settings. State and federal laws determine referral requirements and funding opportunities.

Learn more about occupational therapy.
Learn about occupational therapy and stroke.
Visit the American Occupational Therapy Association.