Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy (OT) is a science-driven health profession that focuses on helping individuals participate in life to the fullest potential through improving individuals’ ability to complete everyday tasks. OT promotes mastery of functional skills, prevention of disabilities, and health across one’s lifespan. Children and youth with intellectual and developmental disorders benefit from OT’s unique holistic perspective of understanding and addressing all aspects of an individual: physical, psychological, and developmental. This perspective, combined with an in-depth knowledge of development and the impact of disabilities on development, is a powerful foundation for intervening with children and youth with intellectual and developmental disorders. The goal of OT intervention is to improve lives in all aspects of occupation: in learning, in play and leisure, and as a participant in ...