What Does an Occupational Therapist Do?

Occupational therapy (OT) is a rewarding, hands-on medical career focused on helping people of all ages, including children, recover, develop, or improve everyday living skills. If you are interested in becoming an occupational therapist, this post covers everything you need to know about this holistic medical career. We will explore the OT role in depth, including responsibilities, education, specialties, and more.

An OT is a licensed healthcare professional who helps people of all ages develop, recover, or maintain the daily skills they need to live and work fully and independently. OTs achieve their goals through the therapeutic use of daily activities, or “occupations,” hence the “occupational” in the practice name. To earn the OTR/L credential, practitioners must meet requirements set by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), as well as state-specific practice requirements. OTR/L stands for Occupational Therapist, Registered and Licensed.

The American Occupational Therapy Association defines an occupational therapist as someone who “helps people across their lifespan participate in the things they want and/or need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations)” – i.e., activities of daily living, work, play, education, leisure, rest and sleep, and social participation. Although this definition clarifies what “occupational” means, it doesn’t answer the question: what does an occupational therapist do?

OTs work with patients whose illness, disability, or injury impacts their ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). They apply evidence-based practices and a holistic perspective to help patients reach their goals. Occupational therapy differs from physical therapy or nursing because it focuses on treating the whole patient rather than a specific injury or physical disability. For example, a post-stroke patient can benefit from OT to improve functional abilities and regain independence through therapies that facilitate motor and cognitive rehabilitation.

Another common example is post-surgery intervention to help the patient return to daily activities. If a patient has knee replacement surgery, an OT will assess and work with the patient after surgery to help them regain mobility and function. This can include pain management (positioning, gentle exercises, ice or heat therapy, and relaxation techniques), range-of-motion interventions, safe mobility and transfer techniques (in and out of bed, etc.), and activities of daily living (ADL) training.

However, occupational therapy isn’t exclusive to older adults; people of all ages can benefit from OT, including children. What does an occupational therapist do for a child? Let’s say a toddler displays signs of delayed fine motor skill development. Difficulty mastering these skills within expected timelines can affect their ability to do everyday tasks like tying shoes, writing, buttoning, or using utensils. In this case, an occupational therapist assesses the child’s strengths and challenges to develop targeted interventions. These strategies and therapies can help the child overcome motor challenges, participate fully in daily activities, and reach their full potential.

To help patients achieve greater independence, occupational therapists develop and implement personalized care plans to address both short-term and long-term goals.

An OT’s work begins with an initial assessment of the person and their environment, such as home, school, or work, to identify challenges. This helps them understand the patient’s physical, emotional, and mental capabilities, evaluating mobility, strength, coordination, cognitive function, and how well they can perform daily tasks.

Assessment results help OTs understand the patient’s specific needs and goals and create a tailored, goal-based treatment plan. Depending on the individual’s needs, therapy may focus on improving skills, building strength and coordination, increasing independence with daily activities, or developing strategies to overcome physical or cognitive challenges.

As part of treatment, OTs help make everyday activities more manageable by modifying how a task is performed or recommending adaptive equipment. They may also adjust the home environment to improve safety and independence. For children, an OT may also recommend adaptations that encourage successful participation in school or other activities.

Teaching strategies and skills patients can use in daily life is essential to occupational therapy and supports confidence and independence. This can include practicing self-care tasks, improving fine motor skills, developing routines, or learning to use adaptive equipment safely. When applicable, OTs involve parents, family members, and other caregivers in these teachings to reinforce therapy goals and support the patient’s progress between visits.

Occupational therapists work with people of every age.

Curious what a pediatric occupational therapist does? In the pediatric specialty, occupational therapists work with children and teens who have sensory processing disorders, developmental delays, physical disabilities, or learning disabilities. Therapies often encourage developing essential motor skills in children or helping them manage daily care, school performance, play, and other social interactions.

OT can help adults after stroke, surgery, or injury. In these cases, therapy plans can help them improve functional abilities, promote ADL (activities of daily living) independence, and support successful integration back into the community.

An occupational therapist can help older adults manage age-related changes and help them maintain their independence and quality of life. They may work with older adults to improve mobility and strength, reduce fall risks, support cognitive and physical abilities, and safely perform everyday activities. This often involves recommending adaptive equipment and home modifications that support independence and make aging in place easier and safer.

OTs can help when mental health conditions and chronic illnesses affect participation in everyday activities. Therapy may focus on improving coping strategies, building daily living skills, and managing energy and fatigue. OTs can also help them with participation in work, school, or social activities.

Occupational therapists can work wherever patients need them, such as at home, work, other places of business, hospitals, or rehab facilities. However, they do not diagnose conditions. Although everyone’s goals are different, examples of what OTs can facilitate include:

The following are some typical daily activities or duties an occupational therapist may perform during the course of a treatment plan:

An occupational therapist can work anywhere a patient needs, helping them adapt to their environment and participate in daily activities.

When patients suffer an injury, illness, surgery, or other medical event, OTs help them regain or maintain the skills needed for daily activities. This can include getting dressed, bathing, eating, transferring safely between a bed and wheelchair, or using adaptive equipment. When needed, OTs may also work on strength, coordination, mobility, and cognitive skills.

In schools, occupational therapists help children participate more fully in learning and school activities. Therapies can include strategies to build fine motor skills needed for writing, cutting, or using classroom tools, as well as sensory processing, coordination, attention, and other skills that affect participation.

OTs often work in patients’ homes, helping them safely manage activities, build skills to support greater independence, and identify adaptations to their routines, environment, or equipment that support goals. For example, KidsCare Home Health offers in-home pediatric therapy services, including occupational therapy strategies to build skills such as fine motor coordination, sensory processing, visual-motor skills, upper-extremity strength and coordination, and self-care. OTs develop individualized home programs, recommend toys and equipment, and teach parents and caregivers how to support their child’s progress between therapy sessions.

In outpatient settings, they may help patients develop strategies and skills to manage ongoing conditions, recover from injuries, or improve daily participation. Other settings can include nursing homes, mental health facilities, or workplaces.

OT work requires both soft and hard skills. Among the soft skills, empathy, patience, and compassion are paramount. After all, occupational therapists typically work with patients during a difficult time, tasked with improving the patient’s daily activities and interactions.

Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills are also necessary to implement and manage comprehensive treatment. Technical skills, including familiarity with computer systems and databases, are also essential and often heavily used throughout patient cases. In some cases, occupational therapists may also need to lift and move clients.

OTs have training in the physical, psychological, and social aspects of human functioning. Overall, their education is grounded in anatomical and physiological concepts and psychological perspectives. The following outlines the typical educational pathway required to work in occupational therapy.

Occupational therapists can specialize in one or more areas throughout their careers. Adding a specialty demonstrates advanced knowledge in an area they are passionate about, enhances credentials, and opens doors to new job possibilities or grant funding.

The American Occupational Therapy Association offers advanced certification programs in these areas of specialty: Pediatrics (children), Gerontology (seniors), and Physical Rehabilitation. Other Occupational Therapist specialties offered through various advanced certification programs include:

Occupational therapy is not only a rewarding career, but also a growing field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for occupational therapists is projected to grow 15 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average employment growth. That represents approximately 25,200 additional jobs over the decade. As of May 2025, the median annual wage for OTs was $100,330.

If the roles of occupational therapists described today sound like the right career path, the next step is to obtain the necessary degrees, certifications, and licensure. As an occupational therapist, you can work in various settings, such as patients’ homes, hospitals, schools, or outpatient clinics, where many people need help. For example, occupational therapy careers at KidsCare entail providing tailored, one-to-one therapy for children with special needs in the comfort of their homes.