What is Occupational Therapy?
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy is a client-centred allied health profession that empowers individuals of all ages to participate fully in the activities that matter most to them – their occupations.
In this context, “occupation” refers not only to paid work, but to any meaningful activity that fills a person’s day. These include self-care (such as dressing, bathing, eating), productivity (such as work, school, caregiving), and leisure (such as play, hobbies, and community involvement).
Occupational Therapists work with people who are experiencing physical, mental, cognitive, or emotional challenges due to illness, injury, disability, or the effects of aging. Their role is to assess the individual’s needs holistically and to support them in restoring or developing the skills, routines, and confidence needed for daily life.
In Singapore, Occupational Therapists serve across a wide range of settings – from acute hospitals and rehabilitation centres to schools, eldercare services, social service agencies, and private practices. They work with people of all ages, from infants to older adults, addressing a wide spectrum of needs.
Depending on the population and context, the work of an Occupational Therapist may include:
- Supporting children with developmental or sensory needs to engage in learning and play
- Enabling adults recovering from stroke, injury, or mental illness to return to their daily routines or work
- Assisting older adults in maintaining independence and safety at home or in the community
- Adapting environments or recommending assistive devices to enhance accessibility and participation
Occupational Therapists focus not just on treating illness or injury, but on helping people live well – in ways that are personally meaningful and socially connected.
OT in the News!
Hear our Occupational Therapists share their experiences, stories, and what motivates them to continue #drivingimpact for the health and well-being of different communities!
Areas where occupational therapy can be applied:
Occupational Therapy and Children & Youths
Occupational therapy focuses on play, school, and social participation functions when it comes to children and young people. Occupational therapy can assist infants, children and young people to play, socialise and learn in their respective environment. Occupations (i.e. meaningful activities) that occupational therapists focus on for this young population may include but are not limited to self-care (wearing clothes, toothbrushing, eating, toileting), school related activities (handwriting, packing of bags) and leisure participation (playing with friends).
Occupational therapists will work closely with parents, caregivers and educators of the child in order to facilitate their participation in school, community, and at home.
Jeanette Suen, an experienced Pediatric Occupational Therapist in private practice shares more on her work!
Check out Xin Hui’s work as a Pediatric Occupational Therapist in KKH here!
Read about Occupational Therapists in the news:
Lim Yu Jie – Trust Through Play (Rainbow Centre)
Occupational Therapy and Physical Disabilities
Occupational therapy can assist people with physical disabilities (both from birth and acquired) to achieve independent living skills, reintegrate into the community, and explore meaningful productive roles. Physical disabilities can include conditions such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy and amputees. Occupational therapists will work on several areas such as self-care, community mobility, home modifications and return-to-work facilitation.
Check out some interesting anecdotes about Occupational Therapists’ role in promoting participation across different life domains:
Driving Rehabilitation
A Day in the Life of a Driving Rehab OT - Part 1
A Day in the Life of a Driving Rehab OT - Part 2
Hand Rehabilitation
A Day in the Life of a Hands OT
Neurology
A Day in the Life of a Outpatient Neurology OT
Read about Occupational Therapists in the news:
Tay Hwee Lin – SPD Therapy Hub Growth
Occupational Therapy and The Elderly
Occupational therapy focuses on maintaining the health and facilitating continuous independence of the elderly individual. Occupational therapists provide support such as home modification, fall prevention measures and activities modification for individuals in their self-care activities. Occupational therapists also look at the quality of life and mental well-being of the elderly through encouraging social participation in the community.
Hear from Priscilla about her role as a Home-Based OT, empowering seniors and their families from within the community!
Also check out Charmaine’s work as an Occupational Therapist in a Day Rehab Centre!
Read about Occupational Therapists in the news:
Occupational Therapy and Mental Health
Occupational therapy in mental health focuses on empowering and facilitating individuals in establishing a meaningful everyday routine and improving quality of life in their recovery. Occupational therapists will work on areas such as self-care routines, money management, employment preparation and training, advocating for self and emotional management.
See how APSN innovates inclusive design: Homegrown & 3D‑printed tools empower special‑needs trainees
Take a look at Kamesh’s sharing on her role as a Mental Health Occupational Therapist!
Also, Nur Atiqah shares passionately about her work in a Day Activity Centre:
