Our Guiding Principles Are Integrity, Inclusion & Self Determination
Everyday activities are used as therapeutic tools to increase independence and live life to its fullest by achieving goals, gaining skills, staying as healthy as possible, maintaining/building independence, and participating in everyday activities meaningful to you.
What is an Occupation?
Everything that you do from the moment you wake up, until you go to sleep, including getting a good night’s sleep. A few examples are personal hygiene, dressing, meal preparation, medication management, enjoying activities and leisure pursuits that are meaningful to you, socializing, understanding personal and environmental safety.
The list is endless because we are all unique human beings with personal preferences, individual barriers, and desired schedules and activities that are specific to only us!
Who Are Occupational Therapy Practitioners?
Occupational therapy practitioners are either occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants. They are skilled health care professionals who use research and scientific evidence to ensure their interventions are effective. With a strong knowledge of a person’s psychological, physical, emotional, and social makeup, occupational therapy practitioners can evaluate how your condition (or risk for one) is affecting your body and mind, using a holistic perspective. (AOTA, 2022)
What is Occupational Therapy?
Your life is made up of occupations—meaningful everyday activities and tasks. We generally don’t think about our daily occupations until we have trouble doing them. If you have a disability, injury, or processing disorder your valued occupations may be disrupted. Occupational therapy incorporates your valued occupations into a habilitative and rehabilitative process (AOTA, 2022).
Why Would You Need Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy allows people across the lifespan to do the activities they want and need to do in their everyday life. An occupational therapist will evaluate your situation and, with input from you (or your family, physician, or care assistant), develop individualized goals that allow you to resume or pursue your valued occupations. After you develop goals with your occupational therapist, you will work together on a specific intervention plan to help improve or maintain your ability to perform daily activities and reach your goals to live your life (AOTA, 2022).
Occupational therapy practitioners develop and implement programs that promote healthy behaviors by helping people adapt to their environment with therapeutic methods and/or the use of adaptive equipment/assistive devices.
How Do I Get Occupational Therapy?
Contact PA Connecting Communities directly for assistance with the referral process.
Ask your Support Coordinator, care assistant, or your physician about a referral for occupational therapy services.