There are many myths and misconceptions regarding the occupational therapy profession. It's important to understand the facts and identify the myths!
The most common myth you may hear is "Occupational therapy helps you get a job." OTs address activities that occupy your time, not your employment. While OTs don't directly provide you with a job they may assist you with work hardening skills or ergonomics, allowing individuals to return to their jobs.
Another common myth is "OT is for the elderly." OTs work with individuals of all ages including early intervention beginning in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), on to schools and adolescent aged children, adults, and up to end of life care.
In addition, many think "OTs only work in medical settings." False! OTs can work in a variety of settings from hospitals, to schools, client's homes including assisted/independent living facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient centers.
"OTs and PTs are the same." This one is a biggie! Although there is some overlap between occupational therapy and physical therapy, there are many differences between the two. PTs address strength and movement while OTs address the activities you do in your daily life. There is a common quote that helps describe the difference between OT and PT.
"A physical therapist will help you learn to walk. An occupational therapist will teach you to put on your dancing shoes and dance the night away."
This quote resonates with me because while a PT may help you improve your lower extremity strength and balance it is the OT who uses these functions to facilitate participation in occupations.
Another common myth is "OTs play puzzles and games." This may be true for pediatric OTs because a child's occupation is play and a puzzle addresses fine motor control, visual scanning, and attention to task. There was a time (and you probably still see it today) that client's would be in a rehabilitation gym standing with an elderly client to complete a puzzle or peg board. As OTs it's important to remember that interventions should be client-centered and functionally based. The more meaningful the intervention is to the client, the more they will be likely to work toward their goals.
The last myth I will mention for today is "OTs treat the upper half of the body and PTs treat the lower half of the body." OTs are known for treating upper extremity dysfunction and shoulder injuries, however it doesn't necessarily mean that is all OT addresses. It is also not uncommon to see a PT addressing upper body dysfunction especially in outpatient settings. Again, PT focuses on strength and movement while OT focuses on occupational performance.
Stay tuned for a detailed post describing the differences between OT and PT.
Thanks for all of the love and support!
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