Occupational therapists provide services to children and adults with disabilities, or who have suffered from brain injury, stroke, severe injury or any other injury or life event that takes away a person's ability to perform everyday tasks. They help disabled individuals acquire skills they need to cope with everyday life or find employment. They teach dressing, feeding, shoe tying and help build fine motor skills needed for handwriting, typing and other tasks needed for school. In educational settings they also help with the sensory needs of children with autistic spectrum disorders.
Growing Opportunities
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Employment of occupational therapists is expected to increase 23 percent between 2006 and 2016, much faster than the average for all occupations."
Adaptive Technology
Occupational therapists also support students and teachers with adaptive technologies, such as adapted spoons, weighted vests (for sensory integration.) adapted pencils, computer keyboards, and on and on.
Work Settings
Currently a majority of occupational therapists work in hospitals and nursing facilities with people suffering from strokes. With the growing number of children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders, the presence of occupational therapists in schools is growing. Many work for agencies who provide occupational therapy services to public schools or intermediate units.
Educational Requirements
A master's degree is required to work as an occupational therapist. Some colleges and universities offer single track 5 year programs that lead to a combined bachelors/masters degree in occupational therapy. Certification is provided by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy Inc. (NBCOT.) and requires successful completion of an educational program and an examination. Certified occupational therapists are allowed to use OTR (Occupational Therapist Registered) after their name.
Income for Occupational Therapists
According to the Bureau for Labor statistics, the median salary for occupational therapists in May, 2006 was $60,470. The median for occupational therapists working in schools was $54,260 at the same time. The advantages of working in schools are that a therapist is likely to have a regular schedule and see the same clients (students) on a regular basis. They may also have summers off. Therapists who are self-employed can make much better money, charging from $40 to $80 an hour, depending on the region, but will need to cover such overhead costs as health insurance, office space and travel. In between is agency and hospital work, which may pay well but therapists will see a revolving cast of patients.
