Occupational Therapy Awareness Month

By Dr. Frank J. Scerbo, PT, DPT, CSCS  ///

April is Occupational Therapy Awareness Month. It’s a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of occupational therapy and the role it plays in helping people of all ages live life to the fullest despite any physical, developmental, social, or emotional challenges they may face. Occupational therapists help individuals participate in everyday activities that are meaningful to them, promoting health, well-being, and independence.

At Scerbo PT, we are physical therapists and we want to recognize how occupational therapy helps people improve their ability to move and function. Occupational therapists focus on helping people regain or improve their ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), such as dressing, bathing, eating, and grooming. They also help people develop or improve the skills they need to participate in work, school, and leisure activities.

Both physical and occupational therapists can play an important role in helping people recover from injuries or illnesses and live more independent lives. In some cases, a person may need to see both a physical therapist and an occupational therapist. For example, someone who has had a stroke may need physical therapy to improve their movement and occupational therapy to learn how to dress themselves again.

While occupational therapy and physical therapy have distinct focuses, they also share many similarities. Both professions emphasize the importance of helping people improve their ability to function in their daily lives. They also often work together to create a comprehensive treatment plan for the patient. They can share treatment techniques and help patients transition from one type of care to another.

Overall, occupational therapy is beneficial because it focuses on improving individuals’ ability to engage in meaningful activities despite challenges they may face. April is an excellent opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions of occupational therapists to society.