Occupational Therapy: Key Terms from Chapter 1

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key OT concepts from the notes.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

The therapeutic use of everyday life occupations with persons, groups, or populations to enable participation.

Occupation

Daily life activities that are meaningful and provide health, competence, and identity (e.g., ADLs, IADLs, education, work, play, rest, social participation).

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Basic self-care and mobility tasks essential for independence (e.g., feeding, dressing, bathing, grooming, toileting, hygiene, functional mobility).

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

Complex daily tasks that support independence (e.g., cooking, finances, transportation, shopping, home management, medication management).

Meaningful Occupations

Occupations that are valuable and important to a person, driving engagement in therapy.

Client-Centered Care

Care that focuses on the client’s goals, values, and meaningful occupations, tailoring interventions to the individual.

OT Process

A framework for OT practice: Evaluation, Intervention, and Outcomes, guided by the client’s life experiences and current research.

Evaluation

Systematic gathering and synthesis of information to understand a client’s needs, goals, and strengths.

Intervention

Plan and execution of activities to promote engagement in meaningful occupations, using remediation, compensation, or adaptation.

Outcomes

Measurements used to determine the effectiveness of intervention and guide discharge or follow-up.

ACOTE

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education; sets standards for OT and OTA education.

AOTA

American Occupational Therapy Association; professional body that defines standards, supports practice, and promotes the profession.

NBCOT

National Board Certification for Occupational Therapy; certification required for many state licenses.

OT Practitioner

The professional continuum of OT, including both occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs).

Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)

A professional who completes a 2-year degree, assists with OT interventions, and works under OT supervision.

Aides

On-the-job trained workers who assist with setup, forms, and preparation; not regulated by state law.

Fieldwork Level I

Introductory, supervised fieldwork experiences embedded in OT/OTA curriculum.

Fieldwork Level II

Full-time, supervised fieldwork experiences totaling about 6 months under an OT; required for licensure.

Master’s or Entry-Level Doctoral Degree

Required educational credential for OT practitioners; master’s or clinical doctorate in OT.

Licensure

State-required credential to practice OT, typically involving application, background check, transcripts, and references.

Specialty Certifications

Professional certifications in specific areas (e.g., driving and community mobility; environment; school systems; feeding; low vision).

Practice Settings (OT/OTA)

Hospitals, clinics, schools, skilled nursing facilities, home health, academia, early intervention, mental health, and other settings.

Pediatrics, Rehabilitation, Gerontology, Mental Health

Examples of OT practice areas and populations addressed by OT practitioners.

Therapeutic Use of Occupations

Using meaningful occupations and activities as therapeutic tools to promote health and participation.

Interventions to Support Occupations

Strategies such as education, training, advocacy, self-advocacy, group and virtual interventions to enable participation.

Preparatory Activities

Tasks that prepare the client to participate in occupations (e.g., ROM, strengthening, relaxation).

Contrived Activities

Made-up tasks that simulate real occupations to develop required skills in a controlled setting.

Occupation-Centered Therapy

Interventions performed in natural settings using familiar objects, focusing on actual occupations.

Therapeutic Media

Objects and materials used to facilitate change (games, crafts, assistive technology, etc.).

Adaptive Equipment

Devices that enable participation (e.g., universal cuff, rocker knife).

Adaptation vs Compensation

Adaptation changes the task or setting to enable participation; compensation changes how the task is performed; remediation aims to restore skills.

Discharge Planning

Process to determine when to end services and plan for transitions or referrals after OT goals are met.

Therapeutic Relationship (Rapport)

Mutual trust between therapist and client; essential for effective intervention and progress.

Diversity

Variety of attributes among individuals (culture, race, ethnicity, SES, gender, age, disability, etc.).

Equity

Fair access to opportunities, addressing starting disparities and systemic inequalities in health and education.

Inclusion

Active acceptance and belonging; valuing diverse perspectives and ensuring participation for all.

Occupational Justice

Opportunities for everyone to participate in desired occupations; injustice arises from structural barriers.

Identity-First Language

Language placing disability before the person (e.g., 'disabled person'), used by some advocates.

Person-First Language

Language placing the person before the disability (e.g., 'person with a disability'), widely promoted to emphasize personhood.

Social Model of Disability

Disability arises from the interaction between a person’s impairment and environmental barriers.

Box 1.3 Distinctions: Occupation, Activity, Task

Occupation is the broader life role; activity is a component of an occupation; a task is a basic unit of action within an activity.

Environment and Accessibility (ADA Focus)

OT practice includes advocating for accessibility and inclusive design to promote participation, e.g., curb cuts and accessible playgrounds.