History of Occupational Therapy

Ancient Greek and Egyptian Cultures

Utilized music, exercise, gardening, etc., to treat mentally ill

Moral Treatment Movement

Late 1700s movement advocating humane treatment of mentally ill

Age of Enlightenment

Era emphasizing reason, individualism, and moral obligations

Philippe Pinel

French physician who initiated moral treatment in Paris

William Tuke

English Quaker leading humane treatment movement for mentally ill in England

The York Retreat

Opened in 1796 by William Tuke for humane treatment of mentally ill

Sir William and Lady Ellis

Advocated homely environment and therapeutic employment for mental health. Ran Hanwell Asylum in 1831 introducing "Moral Therapy" and "therapeutic Occupations."

Dr. Benjamin Rush

Father of American Psychiatry, early pioneer of Occupational Therapy

Dorthea Dix

Humanitarian advocating for better treatment of mentally ill. Instrumental in Congress passing a bill in 1841 to establish federal system of hospitals for those with mental illness.

Jane Adams

Nobel Peace Prize winner, established Hull House for community welfare

Dr. Herbert Hall

Prescribed occupation as medicine for patients' wellbeing. He called it the "work cure."

Work Cure

Term used to describe the therapeutic effect of occupation

Susan Tracy

Nurse who pioneered using occupations for healing. Considered the first Occupational Therapist.

William Rush Dunton, Jr.

Psychiatrist known as the Father of OT. Began teaching Occupation classes in insane asylums. Credited as first using the term Occupational therapy.

Adolf Meyer

Psychiatrist and professor at John Hopkins who advocated rhythmic cycles of work for well-being. helped develop the philosophy of OT.

George Barton

Architect who established Consolation House for OT. Organized the first meeting of leaders in OT in 1917.

Eleanor Clarke Slagle

Social worker at Hull house who developed habit training in OT

First OT National Association

NSPOT, National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy.

Largely founded by George Barton the first president. Late became AOTA, American Occupational Therapy Association

World War I

Shifted OT focus to physical injury and disability

Reconstruction Aides

First OT Assistants who worked with wounded soldiers, originally called "scrub women."

American Occupational Therapy Association

the national organization for the promotion of OT. In 1921 NSPOT changed its name to AOTA.

Thomas Kidner

Encouraged OT promotion in Orthopedic and general hospitals during the 1920s and 1930s

Effects of WWII on OT

Increased need for OTs due to increased survival rates of wounded soldiers and their needs in the military and private sector hospitals.

Rehab Movement

Stimulated by the Rehab Act in 1954 for veteran hospitals

OTA Role

Formally recognized in 1963 by AOTA

Grandfather Clause

Allowed experienced OT aides to be certified without formal education

Committee on OTA

Established by AOTA in 1964 for OTA education standards

Ruth A. Robinson

First president of the Committee on OTAs, developed programs and curriculum for OTA education. She advocated for OTA certification.

Marion Crampton

Advocate for the Grandfather Clause for experienced OTAs who were practicing without formal education.

Mildred Schwagmeyer

Director of Education for AOTA, she helped development all OTA educational requirements and standards.

AOTA officially established the OTA position in

1963

When was the first national certification exam administered to OTAs?

1977

In what year were all new OTAs formally trained in general practice as well as the psychosocial setting?

1966