Occupational Therapy History

The History and Future of Occupational Therapy

According to Merriam’s Dictionary the word Occupation is defined as “an activity in which one engages b: the principal business of one's life” (An Encyclopedia Britannica Company). Although, The Occupational Therapy Field has made significant advancements throughout the years, many people still do not understand what it is that it is the field truly does. In order to truly understand Occupational Therapy one must understand the history of the field.

The Concept of Occupational Therapy actually dates back to the 1700s. During this time people who were mentally ill were treated like prisoners isolated and locked away from society.

In 1793, Phillippe Pinel established the “Moral Treatment and Occupation”

this was an innovative approach to treating the mentally ill. Pinel defined occupation as "man's goal- directed use of time, energy, interests, and attention". Through physical exercise, music, literature, and performing activities of daily living Pinel was able to “cure” the patient’ that were under his supervision. During the 1800’s American hospitals established the Moral Treatment approach in many its hospital. However by the 19th Century the U.S was more preoccupied with reestablishing itself after the Civil War. (Sensory Processing Disorder).
In the early 1900’s a nurse names Susan E. Tracy began reestablished the use of “occupation” with the mentally ill. Tracy began to specialize in the field created a guideline for which she trained other nurses. Once the training was complete these nurses were then known as “Occupational Nurse” these nurses were considered specialist in the field of Occupational Therapy. (Sensory Processing Disorder) “In 1914, two people began a series of correspondences concerning the founding of an organization for individuals interested in "Occupation Work" (as Occupational Therapy was originally known until this time). George E. Barton, an architect, contacted Dr. William R. Dunton, Jr. because he was interested in learning about the response of the human body to the therapeutics of occupation” (Sensory Processing Disorder).
On March 15, 1917, the National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy (NSPOT) was established. During the 1920’s -1930’s the field would continue to grow this was also the time when the field began to use more of a scientific approach. The Organization would eventually change its name to the American Occupational Therapy Association. After the Great Depression many therapist found it difficult to find work because hospitals and clinics did not have the budgets for the extra staff (Sensory Processing Disorder) .
By, WWI Occupational therapist were hired to create protocols that would help to treat all the injured soldiers. In 1940’s-1960 the “Rehabilitation Movement” was in demand. “At this point, OT's were not only treating the mentally ill who were already institutionalized, but began treating physical disabilities due to the injuries sustained in battle. Besides the mentally ill, the injured war veterans, OT's also became called upon to treat an ever increasing number of survivors of "modern medicine's miracles". Now OT's hit physical disabilities at high speed with the aforementioned, PLUS survivors of spinal cord injuries, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, and cerebral palsy”. (Sensory Processing Disorder)

In 1947 the first Occupational Therapy textbook entitled “Principles of Occupational Therapy” by Willard & Spackman.

This help to solidify the fields place in healthcare and would ultimately lead to Occupational Therapy obtaining financial support from the federal government (Sensory Processing Disorder).

In 1956 Occupational Therapists were in such demand that the position for The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant was created. The field of Occupational Therapy kept growing. “During the 1960's, as medicine became "specialized", so did OT. Occupational Therapists were also requested to treat in the fields of pediatrics and developmental disabilities. And, with de-institutionalization came an even greater need to help mentally ill, physically infirmed, and developmentally challenged individuals become independent and productive members of society. It was Occupational Therapists that could easily fill this role, and the surge for competently educated therapists was on. In 1965, under the amendments to the Social Security Acts, Medicare now covered inpatient occupational therapy services. In 1975, The Education of the Handicapped Act was passed and Occupational Therapy was included in the schools as a "Related Service". During the 1980's and 1990's, Occupational Therapy began to focus more on a person's quality of life, thus becoming more involved in education, prevention, screenings, and health maintenance. Goals of occupational therapy could now focus on prevention, quality, and maintaining independence” (Sensory Processing

Disorder).
According to the United States Department of Labor “Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 29 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, autism, or the loss of a limb. The need for occupational therapists is expected to increase as the large baby-boom generation ages and people remain active later in life. They will also be needed in a variety of healthcare settings to act as part of a healthcare team in treating patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes. As an increasing number of states require insurance companies to cover autism-related services, more therapists will be needed in schools to assist children with autism in improving their social skills and accomplishing a variety of daily tasks. Demand for occupational therapy services is related to the ability of patients to pay, either directly or through health insurance. The number of individuals who have access to occupational therapy services may increase because of federal health insurance reform. Both rehabilitation and habilitation services are listed among the essential health benefits that insurers will need to cover once reforms are implemented” (United States Department of Labor).
In the year 2017 the Occupational Therapy Field will be 100 years old. The Centennial Vision is the direction that the field itself is taking. The current Centennial Vision of the AOTA: “We envision 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”(AOTA). Occupational Therapy is the holistic therapy. The field addresses literally every area of Occupation. Such a broad field can be very difficult to define. Medicare guidelines and reimbursement rates in the field of occupational therapy have been limited in the past because of the lack of understanding about the type of services that the field provides. In The field has failed in the past to so show evidence that there is a real need.
Today The AOTA is making sure the field is being recognized with advertising with newspapers and periodicals a well ensuring strict Medicare guideline are implemented in Washington to insure proper reimbursement rates. The American Occupational Therapy Associate (AOTA) has created a structured frame work to provide practitioners with clear guidelines. The goal of the AOTA is to “protect state licensure laws” and increase the knowledge about the occupational therapy field (AOTA). As a whole the field of Occupational Therapy is continuing to grow and evolve in terms of treatment for the various populations that receive services. In the beginning OT was limited to invalids and psychiatric patients. Today the list of people who benefit from Occupational Therapy range from Autistic children, Geriatric, Handicap, and even people who have no disabilities at all and just want to learn alternative ways of doing the way that they complete everyday tasks in a safer or more functional way.