Occupational Therapy is...

a discipline that uses purposeful and meaningful activities (AKA occupations) to help people of all ages develop or regain independence in the necessary and fulfilling work of daily life.

Here are a few real life examples from my 10+ years as an OT:

> A woman re-learns how to sign her name after having a major stroke that made her dominant hand weak and uncoordinated.

> A three-year-old with autism goes from screaming and running away when it's time to brush his teeth to brushing them himself.

> A teenager learns how to go grocery shopping independently despite experiencing social anxiety.

> An infant begins tolerating tummy time and rolling over without help.

> A dad finds a new career he enjoys after surviving a brain injury.