The Answers Behind Occupational Therapy

It is required for a registered occupational therapist to know how OT started out to further understand the goal of occupational therapies. Today's occupational therapy procedures have been in used since around 100 BCE, when Asclepiades, a Greek Doctor, used exercise and massage to treat patients with mental problems. But the technique, as we know it today, did not become popular until the 18th century in Europe. It is rumored that Phillipe Pinel and Johan Christian Reil first introduced occupational therapy to Europe. With the use of leisure and work, patients with mental problems were treated in a different manner.. This practice was later used in the 20th century, when the US health care system improved their approach towards patients with mental illness.

Occupational Therapy as a Profession

In 1910 to 1920, the concept of making OT a profession came to light. Early techniques combined the importance of working and having a strong work ethic. Many professionals could not see how work and leisure could treat patients with mental issues. However, the proponents of Occupational Therapy was welcomed much later. In 20 years, it became known that health is not just a physiological concept, it had social and economic bearings at the same time.

How OT arrived in the United States is challenging to identify since practitioners rarely filed their progress - they weren’t fully aware of the future advantages of their research results. Everything we know about the beginnings of Occupational Therapy in the country came from records of government offices and old news clippings. It was during this time that the practice clarified its purpose, leading to the development of workshops and training schools all over the country. “Reconstruction Aides” were gathered by the Surgeon General to provide both occupational and physical therapies.

The Importance of World War 1 to Occupational Therapy in America

Around 150,000 infantry men were wounded and treated by the "Reconstruction Aides" after returning from the war overseas. It is not known how many were attended to abroad. Most early occupational therapists were female, hoping to contribute in their own special ways. Although these females were given much fame, the process was not used as much afterwards. The public sentiments of therapy transformed from helping to professional and financial gratification. The first standardized curriculum was released and the American Occupational Therapy Association formed.

With the help of AOTA, Occupational Therapy once again, became a popular legitimate medical practice. Occupational Therapy gained further recognition when Adolf Meyer presented a paper to the US Government calling for the protection and learning of the discipline. His research paper was later backed by by William Rush Dunton who created basic pillars for this practice.

In World War II, Occupational Therapy once again, became popular and widely used. It is believed that the person-environment-occupation model may have led to the popularity of this practice. Currently developments are taking place in the field in relation to occupational deprivation, focusing on therapy needed by refugees and the homeless.

For extra info that is related to Occupational Therapy Schools as well as the field, take a look at OT Schools Guide. This site was setup as a totally free source of information for anybody thinking of discovering more about the rewards of OT and the way to get started on the path to preparing to be an Occupational Therapist. Head to Occupational Therapy Schools in Texas and start up your profession right now!