Occupuational Therapy

By arly.benitez17

  • Where it all began..

    Occupational therapy began as a profession in the US in 1917 with the founding of the Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy (now, The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.).

  • The Renaming

    The National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy was renamed American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in 1923.

  • Great Depression

    The Great Depression took place in the United States from 1929 through 1939. After people lost their jobs, they started to become anxious and depressed. Thousands of people were malnourished because there just was not enough food. The Red Cross called upon Occupational Therapists to help World War I veterans adjust to civilian life. Veterans who had been independent felt dependent and sought the help of Occupational Therapists.

  • World War II

    World War II took place from 1939 until 1945. During the war, women started working more and OT services continued to grow. Military hospitals needed more Occupational Therapists than anywhere else in the country. In 1945 there were twenty one OT programs and 3224 Occupational Therapists. During WWII there was a higher survival rate, and over five million people needed care. There was more physical rehab services and less mental health services.

  • Vocational Rehabilitation Act

    The Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1943 was created to amend the vocational education acts of 1930 and 1936. This act allowed OT's to be paid to provide medical services. WWII and the rehabilitation movement helped the growth of the profession and helped increase public awareness of the benefits of Occupational Therapy.

  • Post Polio

    Polio vaccine was successfully introduced, which led to post polio syndromes of weakness, pain, and fatigue that are related to their initial disease. These problems affect their functional ability; therefore, they are of concern to occupational therapists.

  • Occupational Therapy Day

    Occupational Therapy Day was first launched on this day. Since then, it has become an important date in the occupational therapy calendar to promote and celebrate the profession internationally. The World Federation of Occupational Therapists is the international voice of the occupational therapy profession which globally comprises of 92 national occupational therapy professional organisations.