Guide to Occupational Therapy Practice

Approximately 40.5 million people in the United States experience disabilities that limit their everyday function. About 2.8 million children ages 5-15 and 13.5 million adults older than age 65 have some kind of disability that greatly affects family life in terms of the need for caregiving and environmental modification. Of people ages 16-64, 21.5 million are affected in their ability to work. Occupational therapy creates opportunities for people to achieve and maintain function in their occupations and activities related to home, community, and workplace.

The Guide to Occupational Therapy Practice, 2nd Edition describes the contributions of occupational therapy in

* Facilitating participation of people of all ages in their chosen occupations and activities;
* Designing contexts, environments, and policies for individuals and communities that recognize and support differences in opportunities for participation;
* Improving access to occupational therapy services;
* Enhancing the quality of and fostering consumer satisfaction with health care and social services;
* Making possible the appropriate use of and reducing the costs of health care and social services;
* Preventing disability and impairment;
* Promoting health and wellness; and
* Facilitating the development of children.

This guide describes the scope of occupational therapy practice and outlines the dynamic, occupation-centered process according to an established body of knowledge and the expertise of occupational therapy practitioners.