About occupational therapists
Occupational therapists are university-trained health professionals who help people improve their ability to do the everyday things that they want or need to do.
Occupational therapists help children to:
- improve their ability to look after themselves – for example, feed themselves, dress themselves, wash themselves and clean their teeth
- take part in activities at home, work, school and preschool or in the community
- take part in play and leisure activities
- move around more easily in physical environments – for example, with ramps.
Occupational therapists might work with children who have difficulties because of injury or illness, psychological or emotional challenges, learning difficulties, developmental delay, intellectual disability or physical disability.
Occupational therapists work with children in groups or individually, depending on children’s needs and goals.
Occupational therapists work in community health centres, public and private hospitals, education facilities, private clinics including early intervention services, and people’s homes.
If your child has a disability or health or development concerns, allied health professionals like occupational therapists are there to care for your child and help you understand your child’s condition and treatment. With the support and expertise of these professionals, you can help your child thrive.
Why your child might see an occupational therapist
Your child might see an occupational therapist if they have difficulty doing everyday things because of physical disability, learning difficulties, psychological or emotional challenges, developmental delayorintellectual disability.
Occupational therapists can help with many areas ofyour child’s development, including thinking, emotions, behaviour, sensory processing, social interactions, play,gross motor skills andfine motor skills.
Occupational therapists will focus on your child’s strengths and work in a family-centred way. This means they consider the unique needs of your family when working with your child.
You don’t need a GP referral to see an occupational therapist, but yourGP orchild and family health nurse is always a good place to start if you’re worried about your child’s health or development. Your GP can help you decide about seeing an occupational therapist and help you find someone who’s right for your child. You could also ask your child’s teacher or use Occupational Therapy Australia’sfind an OT service.
Before going to an occupational therapist
If your GP or child and family health nurse refers your child to an occupational therapist, it’s a good idea to talk with your GP or nurse about things like the following:
- Why you’re going: talk about why your child needs to see an occupational therapist and what goals your child wants to work on.
- Appointments: do you need to make the appointment, or will the GP or nurse make it for you? Does the appointment need to be in person, or can it be via telehealth?
- Waiting lists: how long before you can get an appointment to see the occupational therapist?
- Is thereanything you can do while you’re waiting for the appointment? For example, it might be a good idea to note any tasks your child has difficulty with and any support your child already gets.
- Costs: how much will the appointment with the occupational therapist cost? You could check whether you’re eligible for Medicare, private health insurance, TAC, WorkCover or another rebate. Occupational therapists often provide services under theNational Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
- Locations: find out where you have to go to see the occupational therapist – for example, a public or private hospital, or consulting rooms. Some occupational therapists might also come to you at home or to your child’s school.
- Qualifications:occupational therapists must be registered with theAustralian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This means they’ve met all the standards to work as an OT in Australia.
You can talk about these things and any other questions you have with your GP before your child goes to the occupational therapist. You could also ask the occupational therapist’s clinic when you make the appointment. It’s a good idea to write down any questions you have, so you don’t forget.
FAQs
What to look for in an answer:
- Good interpersonal and communication skills.
- Experience convincing patients to consider other job opportunities.
- Examples of creating realistic goals based on their patients' abilities.
1 – The Medical Field is Emotionally Stressful
These cases can leave individuals stressed out and unable to separate professional lives from personal ones. Emotional stress as an OT can also come from indirect sources such as the patient's family or members of the medical team.
Is occupational therapy major hard? ›
Becoming an occupational therapist is hard work, but it's worth it. I recommend that you start planning as early as possible. If you start really focusing on good grades, high GRE scores, and impressive volunteer work, you'll have a better chance at being accepted to the school(s) of your choice.
What is your greatest weakness occupational therapy interview? ›
Sample Answer: My greatest strength is my ability to remain patient with my patients. I have worked with many people who have been through a lot, and I understand that it takes time to recover from injuries. My greatest weakness is my lack of knowledge in the medical field.
How to stand out in an occupational therapy interview? ›
Occupational therapy interview tips
Sending a thank-you note might help you make a good impression on your interviewer. You can also ask any follow-up questions and reemphasize your interest in the organization and job.
How do I pass the occupational therapy test? ›
Following are seven tips on how to pass the COTA exam:
- Get the NBCOT Study Guide. ...
- Read the NBCOT Certification Exam Handbook. ...
- Consider Buying the NBCOT Exam StudyPack® ...
- Try Taking a Practice Exam, Cold. ...
- Review the Content Outline. ...
- Supplement with More Study Aids. ...
- Keep Your Body and Mind In Good Shape.
Is Occupational Physical Therapy Harder Than Skilled Nursing? No, occupational physical therapy is not as difficult as skilled nursing. Nurses have to deal with a wide range of stressors such as long hours, double shifts, lack of sleep, illnesses, injuries, and death.
What are the cons of OT? ›
Cons associated with OT include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Cost. Insurance may not cover the cost of occupational therapy. ...
- Time commitment. Occupational therapy will require a commitment of a certain amount of time for the treatment. ...
- Active participation. ...
- Effectiveness. ...
- Difficulty.
For many students (myself included), gross anatomy, neuroscience/neuroanatomy, and kinesiology are typically the hardest of the classes. These courses are almost always in the beginning, which helps ensure that admitted students can handle the rigors of graduate school.
Is occupational therapy oversaturated? ›
Unfortunately, many cities are saturated with OTs, and other locations simply don't have that many OT jobs. You might be the best OT on earth, but you cannot earn more than what the market can support.
Multiple Test Taker
I am a multiple attempt test-taker. NBCOT isn't easy, but it's not impossible. You can and you will pass as long as you do your part. Wedding planning full-time and studying for boards is really stressful and overwhelming.
Is occupational therapy a stressful job? ›
The field has a high growth rate, relatively low stress and an outstanding work-life balance. U.S. News and World Report ranks occupational therapy assistant as the #1 best healthcare support job with ample room for job growth, low stress rates, a competitive salary, and excellent work-life balance.
How to answer why do you want to be an OT? ›
"I want to be an occupational therapist because I want to help people live pain-free lives. Due to personal experiences with family members who live with chronic illnesses, I gained a passion for supporting the health and well-being of others.
What to wear to an OT interview? ›
Dress professionally and keep your accessories and perfume to a minimum. Arrive 10-15 minutes early. Reflect on everything that has made you into the valuable and unique person that you are and take confidence in knowing your worth.
How to ace a therapist interview? ›
Preparing for a counselor interview requires a deep understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of counseling. It's not just about showcasing your qualifications, but also about demonstrating your empathy, active listening skills, and ability to support clients through their challenges.
Why should we hire you as an occupational therapist? ›
In your answer, you can describe the types of patient problems that each professional works with, the interventions they provide, and the differing treatment goals they have. Be sure to explain why OT best aligns with your personal interests and career aspirations.
How do you stand out as an OT applicant? ›
As a prospective OT student, you must include relevant experiences and skills in your application in order to set yourself apart from other students. Ideally, this experience will communicate your interest and exposure to skills related to OT.
What to wear to a job interview for an occupational therapist? ›
Dress professionally and keep your accessories and perfume to a minimum. Arrive 10-15 minutes early. Reflect on everything that has made you into the valuable and unique person that you are and take confidence in knowing your worth.
What is the best way to explain occupational therapy? ›
Occupational therapy intervention uses everyday life activities (occupations) to promote health, well-being, and your ability to participate in the important activities in your life.
