Occupational therapy (OT) is all about helping people do important activities in their everyday lives. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages who have challenges with their bodies, thinking, learning, or emotions that make it hard to do daily activities. They help them become independent, learn new skills, make changes to their surroundings, and feel better overall.

Physical therapy (PT) helps people move better and become stronger. Physical therapists work with those who have problems with their bodies, like injuries or difficulties moving. They help them get stronger, more flexible, and able to do things they want to do physically.

PTs help people to walk, OTs help them to dance!

After finishing high school, you’ll go to college and study occupational therapy. Then, you’ll need to pass a national board certification exam to become a professional occupational therapy practitioner and start helping people in hospitals, schools, or other places where they need support.

The OT and OTA work together. The OT evaluates the client, plans activities that will help the client feel better and get stronger, and completes discharge documents. The OT also provides clinical supervision of the OTA. The OTA implements and documents the activities, and provides feedback to the OT on the client’s progress during treatment.

If you’re thinking about studying occupational therapy, there are plenty of schools that can help you get started. Many community colleges, universities, and colleges have programs for aspiring occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. These programs vary, offering associate degrees, entry-level master’s programs, and even doctoral programs. Use the American Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) for a directory of accredited OT programs in the United States to find the right one for you.

You might wonder what to major in before entering the Occupational Therapy field. The good news is that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer! OT programs value diverse backgrounds, so students come from various undergraduate majors. Common ones include psychology, biology, and sociology, but there are OT students with degrees in art, engineering, or business. No matter your major, as long as you meet program prerequisites, you’re on the right track. Having a unique background can bring fresh perspectives to the field. Ready to pursue a career as an Occupational Therapist or an Occupational Therapy assistant? Follow the OT Career Path to get you there.

Occupational therapy is a well-paying profession. The amount of money you can make as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant can vary depending on several factors, such as where you work and how much experience you have.

Occupational therapists make a competitive salary, with a median annual wage of $86,280 in 2020, and the top 10 percent earning over $126,290. As an occupational therapy assistant, you can also expect a good salary, with a median annual wage of $63,510 and the top 10 percent earning over $84,790 in 2020. But remember, it’s not just about the money; it’s about making a positive impact on people’s lives. Salary information for occupational therapists and assistants is based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Yes, occupational therapy is a field of study that you can major in at many community colleges and universities. To become an occupational therapist, you typically need to earn a bachelor’s degree in a related field like psychology, biology, or kinesiology and then complete a master’s or doctoral program in occupational therapy. If you’re interested in becoming an occupational therapy assistant, you can earn an associate’s degree in occupational therapy, and many community colleges offer these programs.