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The Uniform Terminology for Occupational Therapy has been replaced by the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process (OTPF). The domain consists of areas of practice while the process consists of the methods of intervention in OT. The AOTA created a 10-state Listserv named the Evolution of Communication, which is designed to keep AOTA members informed on certain matters related to the OT profession. (AOTA, 2017; Centennial Vision, 2022). -
This Act awarded research-based interventions for patients and caregivers coping with Alzheimer's disease, including the occupational therapy profession. (AOTA, 2017; Centennial Vision, 2022).
Another Act, granted programs that carried out federal funding to states to offer a "free appropriate public education" to all children with a disability. This was known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA).
(Accessibility; Timeline of Disability Rights, 2025). -
This was directed to state that occupational therapy is a "powerful, widely recognized, science-driven, and evidence-based profession with a globally connected and diverse workforce meeting society’s occupational needs.” This is a call to action for all AOTA members to unite and achieve their successful goals in treatment and in practice for OT service delivery.
(AOTA, 2017; Centennial Vision, 2022). -
The standards of Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy (ACOTE) were revised to meet the criteria for entry-level doctoral-degree programs and entry-level master’s degree programs for OTs as well as the AOTA adopting the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, 2nd Edition. (AOTA, 2017; Centennial Vision, 2022). -
With the enactment of licensure in Hawaii, occupational therapy licensure is now established in all 50 states and three additional jurisdictions (Centennial Vision, 2022). -
AOTA implements the third edition of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (Centennial Vision, 2022). -
New York state enacts OTA licensure, completing licensure across all 50 states and three jurisdictions (Centennial Vision, 2022). -
AOTA celebrated their 100th year as an association and the occupational therapy profession (Centennial Vision, 2022) -
Telehealth services grew to an all time high and were deemed acceptable for clients if mutually agreed upon due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This grew the availability of occupational therapy during the pandemic and allowed for people to still received services during this time of isolation. Evidence is shown that Telehealth does support interventions specifically for musculoskeletal and chronic conditions, and possibly others as well (Lucas Molitor et al., 2025) -
Occupational therapy practice framework: domain and process (OTPF-4) was published.
After member review began in 2018, many things were changed/revised in the document, some of these revisions included increasing to focus of group and population clients, occupational science was defined explicitly, and occupation and activity received new definitions as well. These changes allow for occupational therapists to be more inclusive and accurate in their treatments (AOTA, 2020). -
The House of Representatives passed this bill on May 22nd, meaning multiple changes will be expected if it continues to be passed by the Senate as well. If this bill is passed, it is expected that at least $625-$700 billion in Medicaid funding will be cut, resulting in millions of people to lose coverage. As Medicaid is a crucial program for healthcare coverage, this could significantly decrease the amount of people who are able to receive occupational therapy services (Parsons et al., 2025).