What is OT? Occupational Therapy Guide

What is an occupation? It is not only a job, defined by labels like “accountant” or “nurse”. An occupation is anything you do that supports your physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.

When you are unable to achieve your occupational goals independently, it can make you feel sad and frustrated. This could happen due to intrinsic ways your brain and body have always worked, or because of a significant life change (like an injury or illness).

With occupational therapy (OT), you can find new, creative ways to reach your goals, whether carrying out everyday tasks or connecting with your community. Together, let’s walk through what OT is, when you might need it, the benefits, and what to expect from the process.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is a science-based healthcare service that facilitates individuals’ independence in daily life. In the words of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, it “helps you do the things you want and have to do”. There are a few different components involved, depending on individual needs, which include:

• Skill development: Working on strength, coordination, mobility, memory, attention, and problem-solving through structured exercises and activities.
• Assistive technology: Providing tools such as adaptive utensils and mobility, digital and/or cognitive aids to support independence.
• Coping strategies: Teaching techniques to manage fatigue, pain, stress, or cognitive challenges, and advising carers or family members.
• Environmental adjustments: Recommending and implementing changes at home, work, or school (e.g., grab rails, seating adjustments, layout changes) to improve safety and accessibility.

It may be helpful to think of OT as a bridge, supporting you across the chasm of uncertainty. On the other side, you have the tools, confidence, and abilities to fulfil your goals in a way that makes sense for your life situation.

When is Occupational Therapy Required?

A medical professional may refer you for OT, or you may seek it out for yourself at times of particular need. It can be helpful in both short- and long-term circumstances, such as:

Injury or illness recovery

If you have sustained an injury like a broken bone, it may take some time to recover your strength, even after the injury has healed. OTs can support you to care for yourself independently while you are still healing and also help you redevelop any skills you may have lost while you were unwell. For example, they may show you one-handed cooking techniques and help you reconfigure your kitchen for accessibility.

Chronic conditions

Chronic conditions can feel both physically and emotionally debilitating, particularly if it has been going on for a very long time. Sadly, this isn’t uncommon, with around 38% of adults in Scotland living with chronic pain lasting three months or more. Though a chronic illness may sometimes make you feel like you have lost everything, there are ways that you can manage your discomfort and continue to engage in things that bring you meaning and pleasure. With an OT, you don’t need to work it all out on your own.

Mental health support

Mental health challenges like anxiety, depression or phobias can make it difficult to take part in your own life the way you want to, particularly if you are experiencing fear or low mood. Occupational therapy in combination with talking therapies can be a gentle yet effective solution. Sometimes mental health challenges can also result in unhealthy occupations like addictions, and an OT can help with this too, helping you find alternative activities that fulfil your needs for safety and meaning.

Neurodivergence adaptations

Neurodevelopmental diagnoses like autism and ADHD come with a combination of strengths and challenges. If you are neurodivergent, occupational therapy can help you to recognise and capitalise on your strengths while finding ways to support the things you find challenging. For example, noise-cancelling headphones to calm hypersensitivity for an autistic child or an organisation app that supports an ADHDer to keep their home clean.

Life stage processes

Life is full of different stages – childhood, studies, work, perhaps parenthood, and retirement are just a few. When we pass from one stage to another, we may experience grief at losing some of our past abilities and the sense of identity that often comes with these. To maintain a sense of contentment and meaning in life, it is important to find new ways to do things. Sometimes we may work this out on our own, e.g., an older gentleman buying a trolley-cart to take shopping when he is no longer able to drive. At other times, though, we may need some additional support to find alternative solutions.

Occupational Therapy Benefits

From basket-making for wounded soldiers in 1920 through to touch-typing for dyspraxic students in 2020, occupational therapy services have continued to provide a host of wonderful benefits! Amongst other advantages, The Dawn Practice clinicians have seen first-hand that it:

Supports recovery

If you have had an injury or have been unwell, occupational therapy services can support the recovery of skills and abilities. In fact, for older adults receiving occupational therapy, 77% have improved health outcomes. Take an 86-year-old who has suffered a stroke and wants to recover her handwriting ability. An occupational therapist works to facilitate this by demonstrating hand exercises and providing access to easy-grip writing utensils.

Increases independence

We know it can be very frustrating when you are unable to meet your goals. Occupational therapy helps individuals do as much for themselves as they can. This could look like anything from developing self-care skills, so someone doesn’t need to rely as heavily on a carer, to making workplace adjustments that prevent a neurodivergent employee from burning out.

Improves mental wellbeing

Research links greater autonomy and control with better mental health; over 92% of respondents in Stilt’z home lift specialist survey said that living independently in their own homes impacts their mental health. It is empowering to be able to do more for yourself, whether that is carrying out daily life activities, partaking in work, or enjoying your hobbies again. A BMJ study agrees, noting that those who remain independent are less likely to develop depressive symptoms.

What is an Occupational Therapy Process?

Thankfully, there is a clear process that can help you to do the things you love (or need) to do. This isn’t about having something “done to you”. It is a collaborative conversation, with you at the helm of your own ship, and your OT acting as a compass until you see the land for yourself.

1. Assessment

In an assessment, an occupational therapist will work with you to understand your physical and cognitive abilities and any barriers affecting your independence. This can take place in different environments, from home to school and work. An example at The Dawn Practice was when occupational therapist Aileen McGurk assessed Eilidh, a 4-year-old girl, to provide a DCD diagnosis, which opened the door to 18 months of post-diagnostic OT support.

“Part of that process involved Aileen linking in with her school, which has been immensely helpful in supporting Eilidh in all areas of her life.”

Kevin M, parent of client

2. Goal setting

One of the central parts of the post-diagnostic process is identifying what is most important to you. This includes both the occupations in which you wish to be able to partake and also how you want to get there. Your therapist can help you set realistic goals for these, along with a roadmap to help you reach them. Eilidh’s parents appreciated that occupational therapy gave them a “toolkit” which they can use to support their daughter.

3. Activities practice

Your occupational therapist will assist you in practising the activities you wish to carry out in a way that is comfortable for you. This could begin with gentle strengthening exercises in physical therapy that help you build up to more advanced skills. Or, for an ADHDer, it might mean practising emotional regulation with calming fidget toys or deep breathing exercises. It can also include adjusting environmental factors to make the activities easier.

4. Regular reviews

Your needs may change as you develop your skills or recover from your illness. Or you may try some tools or exercises that aren’t the best fit, so you would like to make adaptations. With regular reviews built into the occupational process, your OT can facilitate changes as required.

Speak to an Occupational Therapist

There is one transformative thing at the heart of occupational therapy services, and that is hope. If you feel stuck, an experienced OT can walk alongside you to guide you into a new sunrise and a brighter life.

At The Dawn Practice, our care is grounded in clinical expertise, collaboration, and a genuinely person-centred approach, ensuring support is tailored to you and your goals. All occupational therapists at The Dawn Practice are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, so you can rest assured that you are in safe hands.

Whether you are seeking support for a short-term injury or ways to manage daily living as a neurodivergent individual, we are here for you. Reach out for support today.