Holiday Alert: Many UVM Health Network offices and clinics will be closed for the holiday. Urgent Care, ExpressCare, pharmacy and laboratory hours may be affected. View Holiday Hours & Closures. As a reminder, our Emergency Department is always open, 24/7, for emergency medical care
ECH  >  Departments & Programs  >  Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation  >  Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Licensed Occupational Therapists work with patients that range in age from pediatrics to geriatrics, who have difficulty completing activities of daily living due to a physical disability, an injury, a learning disability or developmental disability. Many times purposeful activities are used to improve patients' range of motion, muscle strength, endurance and cognitive/perception (thinking and visualizing). OT is experienced in the fit and fabrication of customized splints for hand injuries and the rehabilitation of fine motor and visual motor
skills.

Occupational therapy can include:

  • Assistance and training in performing daily activities. Depending on your needs, these could be:
    • Personal care activities. 
    • Home skills. Some examples are housekeeping, gardening and cooking.
    • Personal management skills like keeping a schedule.
    • Skills important in driving a car or other motor vehicle. Occupational therapy may be involved in the vision, thinking, and judgment skills needed for driving. It also may involve finding out whether special adaptations such as hand brakes are needed

Examples of the many different conditions in which occupational therapy can help are:

  • Mental and physical impairments a person has had since birth.
  • Sudden serious health conditions such as a stroke, heart attack, brain injury or amputation.
  • Chronic (ongoing) conditions, such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content.

To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org.

© 1995-2018 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.