What is occupational therapist? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of occupational therapist in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of occupational therapist

occupational therapistnoun
chuyên gia trị liệu nghề nghiệp
/ˌɒkjuˌpeɪʃənl ˈθerəpɪst//ˌɑːkjuˌpeɪʃənl ˈθerəpɪst/

Where does the word occupational therapist come from?

The term "occupational therapist" emerged in the early 20th century as a response to the growing need for rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities or injuries affecting their ability to perform daily activities. Prior to this time, there was limited understanding of how to help such individuals, and many were institutionalized or left to cope on their own. In the 1910s and 1920s, a group of women trained in social work and home economics began to offer programs in homes and communities for individuals with disabilities. These programs aimed to help individuals acquire the skills they needed to participate in daily activities, such as dressing, cooking, and managing finances. This approach was inspired by the philosophy of European child psychologist Maria Montessori, who believed that individuals could learn through engaging in meaningful activities. To distinguish themselves from traditional social workers, these professionals began calling themselves "occupational therapists" in the 1920s. The term "occupational" referred to the fact that the therapist helped the individual to engage in the occupations or activities of daily living, while "therapy" denoted the use of specialized techniques to promote healing and personal growth. The term "occupational therapist" eventually became widely accepted and is now used internationally to describe the professional who applies the principles of occupational therapy to help individuals of all ages and abilities to participate in meaningful daily activities.

Example of vocabulary occupational therapistnamespace

The patient is being treated by an occupational therapist to help increase her strength and flexibility after a traumatic car accident.
After sustaining an injury on the job, the worker was referred to an occupational therapist to aid in his recovery and return to his regular duties.
The occupational therapist collaborated with the Physical Education teacher to develop exercises and activities for students with physical disabilities to improve their motor skills.
The occupational therapist prescribed adaptive equipment and strategies to help the individual with visual impairment perform daily living tasks more independently.
The occupational therapist worked closely with the stroke survivor's family to teach them how to provide appropriate assistance and encourage increased independence.