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Why OT? Student Concerns, Support, & Teaching Moments!

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Official HPU OTD Las Vegas Instagram Page

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Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

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Follow these steps as you ramp up to start classes and be fully prepared for Day 1!

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Now fully accredited by ACOTE.

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The ’Ohana | HPU’s Las Vegas Occupational Therapy Program is Granted Accreditation

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HPU’s Las Vegas Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program has been granted seven-year accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). The multiphase process took three years to complete, ensuring that the program meets the rigorous administrative and educational standards set by ACOTE and has the capacity to sustain a successful graduate program. With this decision, HPU’s Las Vegas OTD becomes just the third accredited OTD program in Nevada, helping meet the state’s growing need for skilled occupational therapy practitioners. The OTD program includes 65 students and eight full-time faculty and staff. HPU’s Las Vegas OTD program earned praise for how intentionally it brings Hawaiian culture and values into both the curriculum and the everyday life of the program. The ACOTE accreditation council noted that the students and faculty receive ongoing guidance from the program’s kumu on Hawaiian language, cultural values, and how those lessons can be carried into academic work and professional practice. Hawaiian vocabulary is used naturally throughout the program, and faculty regularly consult the Kumu to ensure cultural authenticity and avoid misappropriation. Students of Hawaiian heritage have shared that the program feels genuine and familiar, an approach that strengthens cultural humility and cultural justice and helps prepare graduates for practice in diverse communities.“Achieving accreditation through ACOTE is a significant achievement for HPU and Nevada. It represents HPU and the department’s ability to meet the expectations of providing high-quality graduate education using the hybrid model of delivery, while condensing a doctorate program into two years,” said HPU OTD Program Director and Professor Robyn Otty, OTD, OTR/L, BCPR, FAOTA. “By providing a comprehensive program that allows students to remain residents of their community, they will also meet the needs of the Las Vegas community through their on-site immersive experiences in this innovative hybrid program.”Accreditation is a critical step for students because it is required for graduates to be eligible to sit for the national board exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), the certification needed to practice as a licensed occupational therapist.Occupational therapy (OT) professionals are experts in identifying and adapting environments and tasks to help people overcome physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges. They may design a sensory-friendly classroom so a child can thrive, collaborate with families to build independence at home, or advocate for workplace accommodations that ensure all voices are heard. These examples are a small fraction of the work OT practitioners accomplish with the goal of restoring agency, participation, and dignity in daily life.HPU’s Las Vegas OTD program is housed in a brand-new, ADA-compliant teaching space in the southwest Las Vegas Valley. All lab immersion courses are conducted in person in this facility, which features an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) suite with a fully functional kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom designed for hands-on learning. The space is shared with HPU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Las Vegas, promoting interprofessional education and collaboration across disciplines.Las Vegas’ dynamic, multicultural community, proximity to major health care systems, and strong ties with Hawai‘i make it an ideal location for the hybrid program. The design allows students to remain in their home communities, including rural areas that previously may not have had access to a professional OT program, while traveling to Las Vegas for scheduled in-person immersions. HPU’s Las Vegas OTD program welcomed its first cohort of students in August 2025 and continues to accept applications. To learn more about HPU’s Las Vegas OTD program, click here. The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o ACOTE is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony confection may affect a graduates’ ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

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What impact does our program make on students? Check it out!

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HPU OTD LV_Multi-page Flyer_High Impact (Digital)

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Questions about the course format over time?

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Take a peek at what your weekly schedule could look like in our program.

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A quick and easy checklist to see if you are eligible for our program or what you need to do to apply.

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Learn about our Program with our Faculty as your Guide

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Learn about our Program with our Faculty as your Guide

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Discover more about the OT profession, the pathway to OTD LV, and our HPU 'ohana.

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Occupational Therapy at Hawaiʻi Pacific University Las Vegas Campus

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Have your pick! Listen and learn more.

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Looking for a list of the best occupational therapy podcasts? Well, you've come to the right place! I'm a HUGE fan of podcasts in general, since they're so easy to listen to while driving, walking the dog, working out, cleaning, and so on.

I also love learning on the go, and listening to quality occupational therapy podcasts is a great way to get some quick info in before or after work, without diving into an hours-long continuing ed course every week.

While there are so many more OT podcasts out there than what's on this list, the My OT Spot team wanted to showcase our choices that publish episodes regularly, have a large episode library, and focus on high quality content. So without further ado, here are our picks for the best OT podcasts:

The Seniors Flourish podcast, created by Mandy Chamberlain, was the first OT podcast I started listening to, and is still consistently one of my number one go-to's when I'm short on time. This podcast is geared towards OT students and OT practitioners working with older adults, and features a great variety of episodes interviewing OT practitioners in a huge array of settings. Shameless plug: You check me out as a guest talking with Mandy about occupation-based interventions here!

Spill the OT is a unique podcast in that the creator is an anonymous OT podcaster whose mission is to be honest and upfront about everyday issues we all face as therapists and students (by "spilling the tea" as they say these days!). These issues range from salary, settings, loans, and interviews with therapists from a multitude of settings. This podcast isn't afraid to cover the less than ideal aspects about the therapy world but is still an overall fun and positive listen.

The Occupied Podcast is a podcast created by Brock Cook, an OT from Australia whose mission is to cover all things occupation in this regularly updated podcast. This podcast not only covers occupation but has a huge emphasis on mental health (hooray!) and also has a great variety of interviews with other OTs from around the world.

The OT 4 Lyfe podcast was created by Sarah Putt in 2018. Sarah is a pediatric OT and also happens to be the founder and clinical director of her own private practice. She's created a lot of great podcast epsiodes covering a variety of topics including fieldwork, pediatric occupational therapy, international work, the business side of OT, along with featuring big names in the OT world for informational interviews.

The OT School House, created by Jayson Davies, is focused on school-based occupational therapy, which features guests to discuss strategies for OTs working in school systems. This podcast is a must-listen if you're going to start a clinical in the schools or are working as a school-based OT already. A huge added bonus to this podcast is that you can purchase optional PDUs to earn while listening, which range from 9.99 to 19.99 depending on the PDU amount earned.

Glass Half Full: Occupational Therapy Talk was created by Natalie Barnes and Jessica Kersey with each episode with a goal of focusing on "returning to our roots in occupation-based care and activity analysis." A large array of topics are covered, ranging from Pusher's syndrome to working in the NICU, as well the 2019 Medicare changes affecting practitioners working in SNFs. An added bonus is that some of the episodes are approved by AOTA to earn CEU credits.

Wishing you could learn about a new OT-related research article every week but don't always have the time or energy? This is where Sarah Lyon's OT Potential podcast comes in. Each week, Sarah covers a new journal article in podcast form (a great way to learn on the go!) to help you learn about relevant studies and their outcomes. I love these episodes especially since they range from around 8-20 minutes, so you can get the full scoop on an article on your way to work.

On the Air was created by Stephanie Lancaster, an OT with over 25 years of experience. Stephanie has been podcasting regularly since 2017 and also works as an OT educator specializing in ed tech and instructional design. This podcast covers a HUGE variety of topics, including alternative career options, international OT, whistleblowing, advocacy, and so much more. No matter what setting you're in, you'll be sure to find many applicable and educational episodes with this podcast.

Founded in 2018 by OT Erika del Pozo and her husband Michael Frasso, who happens to be a PT, the Burnt Out to Lit Up podcast was created after Erika was facing significant burnout and anxiety after she began practicing. Realizing she certainly isn't the only clinician facing issues with the all-too-common healthcare burnout, Erika created this podcast to help professionals in all healthcare avenues, not just occupational therapists.

The podcast episodes discuss "wellness, health, personal & professional development, healthcare industry issues & how to affect change, spirituality, and more." New episodes are released every Friday.

If you're feeling even the slightest bit burned out in your practice (or schooling!), this podcast is a must-listen.

How to Listen to These Podcasts

If you're new to podcasting, you might also be wondering where to get started. Fear not, each one of these podcasts has a variety of ways you can listen. If you have an iPhone, all of these podcasts are available on your Apple iOS podcast app.

If you have an Android or want to listen on your computer, many of these podcasts are also available on Google Play, Stitcher, and Spotify. To find out which podcasts are available on those platforms, simply click on the podcast titles and it will link you directly to the other available platforms.

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What are YOUR favorite occupational therapy podcasts? Which ones did we miss? Please share them in the comments below!

And lastly, if you're also looking for great occupational blogs, be sure to check out our list of top OT blogs here.

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Our Picks for Best Occupational Therapy Podcasts | myotspot.com

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Looking for a list of the best occupational therapy podcasts? Well, you've come to the right place! I'm a HUGE fan of podcasts in general, since they're so easy to listen to while driving, walking the dog, working out, cleaning, and so on.

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Decide If Becoming an OT Is Right For You

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Decide If Becoming an OT Is Right For You

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Maybe you're just curious about the OT profession, or you're seriously contemplating going into the wonderful field of occupational therapy. Either way, this article is for you!

First off, if you're brand-new to OT, you may be wondering what exactly is o ccupational therapy, or "OT" for short?

Occupational Therapy, as defined by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), is a "client-centered health profession concerned with promoting health and well-being through occupation."

Additionally, occupational therapists help to enable people to participate in their activities of everyday life by working with them to enhance their ability to engage in the occupations they want to, need to, or are expected to do. Occupations include self-care, leisure activities, work, play, and social participation.

As an OT, you can work in many settings with many different populations, treating physical and psychological conditions.

The types of patients OTs treat range from children with autism to adults with hand or wrist injuries, brain injuries, mental health clients, people with an orthopedic surgery like a hip replacement or motor vehicle accident, people who have had a stroke, and older adults with dementia. Just to name a few.

What is the Average Salary?

While you shouldn't base choosing to be an occupational therapist solely based on the salary, it is helpful to know that you can live comfortably as an OT.

The national average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020) is $86,280 per year, which equates to $41.48 per hour. This number can very widely for OTs, however, so be sure you also check out our comprehensive salary data from 2,322 OTs and COTAs here.

While it may seem that you can make a large salary as an OT, I do want to also let you know that both Occupational Therapy Master's and Doctorate degrees are not cheap.

On the low end, programs start at $40,000 for tuition, which is an in-state tuition rate and these programs are rare and very competitive to get into.

Most OT grad programs are $60,000-$120,000+.

If you do your research, you will notice that some programs will also include lab/equipment fees of $100-$700 per year and textbook costs adding several thousand dollars to your tuition bill.

If you aren't living at home for free with parents, you can also expect to add $12,000 a year for rent, utilities and food. In total, you're looking at spending up to nearly $150k for OT school if you're living on your own and paying your own bills.

As an example, the total costs for my program came out to roughly $80,000. Assuming a 6% interest rate and 10-year term, you can expect to come out of school with student loan payments of $888 per month. You can play with the numbers using Bankrate's student loan calculator.

After the 6 month post-graduation grace period, you can plan to start making your student loan payments.

This number will of course be higher or lower depending on several factors, such as if you attend a Master's degree state school (lower) or private Doctorate program (higher).

Please be aware: I did a quick Google search while writing this post on "Cheapest OT Schools," and the posts I found were completely inaccurate, stating the most expensive schools were only $44,000. This does not make clear that those costs are per year.

Check your school's website for the most accurate information.

I don't want this to discourage you at all, as it is doable. But if you're just interested in getting into the field for the money, you won't feel like you're really "raking it in" until you get those student loans paid down, since you're probably looking at over $100K for OT school and living expenses.

If you're considering going to school to be an Occupational Therapy Assistant, the schooling will be much less expensive, which I break down in my post titled " OTR or COTA: What's the Difference? "

Where Do OTs Work?

Occupational therapists work in a huge variety of settings, with anyone who needs help to improve their lives, and therefore OTs have a wide variety of places that they can be employed.

I compiled this list from The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)'s Compensation and Workforce study, but left off the percentages as it is from 2010 and the numbers probably differ a bit today.

This study lists the settings that both Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants primarily work in, with the ones higher on the list being the most common and the bottom settings being the least common.

1. Hospitals

2. Schools

3. Nursing Facilities (Skilled Nursing or Assisted Living Facilities)

4. Outpatient Therapy

5. Home Health

6. Academia

7. Early Intervention

8. Community

9. Mental Health

What Do You Need to do to Get Started?

To get started on your future career as an occupational therapist, we have an entire blog section dedicated to prospective occupational therapists, as well as a comprehensive e-book " How to Get Into OT School: Everything You Need to Know " for when you're ready to consider applying to OT school.

Lastly, be sure to give these top My OT Spot articles a read:
5 Big Mistakes I Made When Applying to OT School The MOT vs OTD: Which Degree Should You Pursue? Is Occupational Therapy Stressful? 7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming an Occupational Therapist
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I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide with your future career plans (whether you choose OT or another path). If you have any questions about becoming an OT that I didn't cover, please leave them in the comments below 🙂
This post was last updated May 18, 2021.

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Decide If Becoming an OT Is Right For You - myotspot.com

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Maybe you're just curious about the OT profession, or you're seriously contemplating going into the wonderful field of occupational therapy. Either way, this article is for you! First off, if you're brand-new to OT, you may be wondering what exactly is o ccupational therapy, or "OT" for short?

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Why Choose OT? is an initiative of NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy).

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What is Occupational Therapy? Occupational therapy is a type of therapy that helps people improve their ability to do everyday activities. These activities can be things like getting dressed, eating, playing sports, doing school work, and so much more! Are you someone who

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Accessible fart machines and hand-less video game controllers | Holly Cohen

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Check our list of accepted prerequisites to see how prepared you are!

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A guide to help you feel confident and ensure you have taken all the steps for admissions and application submission.

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1. Discovering Occupational Therapy Archives - myotspot.com

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You've probably already heard all about how challenging the coursework is for occupational therapy programs. The process of applying to occupational therapy school can be just as challenging but in a different way, especially when you're trying to obtain enough occupational therapy observation hours required for your applications.

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Check out all things HPU OTD Las Vegas Program!

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Hawai'i Pacific University's Doctor of Occupational Therapy program in Las Vegas is Hawai'i's first and only Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program.

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Occupational therapy enables people of all ages to participate in daily living.

Occupational therapy promotes health, well-being, and participation

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants focus on the things you want and need to do in your daily life. Occupational therapy intervention uses everyday life activities (occupations) to promote health, well-being, and your ability to participate in the important activities in your life. This includes any meaningful activity that a person wants to accomplish, including taking care of yourself and your family, working, volunteering, going to school, among many others.

Occupational therapy services typically include:

an evaluation made just for you that lets us know your history, life experiences, and your interests. We call this your occupational profile, and it tells us what values and activities are important to you during this conversation.

an intervention plan that is unique to you to improve your ability to perform daily activities and reach your goals,

and an outcomes evaluation to make sure that the goals you set with your occupational therapy practitioner are being met.

Read the brochure "What is occupational therapy?"

What can occupational therapy do for you?

Occupational therapy can help you participate in life activities (occupations) and provide recommendations for:

Activities of daily living (such as bathing, dressing, and eating)

Adaptive equipment (such as shower chairs, or equipment to make daily tasks easier)

Caregiver and family training

Planning and making the most of daily routines

Returning to work, school, and leisure activities

Techniques to aid in memory, concentration, and executive functioning (e.g., planning and prioritizing, functional cognition)

Falls prevention and home safety and accessibility

*We encourage you to share the "What can occupational therapy do for you?" video link for educational purposes. You may not use it for merchandising, sales for profit, or fundraising. For all other uses, email copyright@aota.org.

Where do occupational therapy practitioners work?

Occupational therapy services are provided by licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, to people of all ages in homes, communities, schools, and healthcare settings.

Occupational therapy services may be provided in a client's home, community settings (e.g., community centers, shelters, free clinics), hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, primary care offices, schools, and many other locations.

Occupational therapy practitioners may also work as consultants and experts in health information technology, human centered design, addressing the health of communities, education (e.g. schools, higher education), health promotion programs, driving and community mobility, and many others.

Wherever daily activities occur, occupational therapy services can be provided!

Occupational therapy helps you achieve your goals

From a child with autism to a wounded warrior with a double amputation to an older adult aging in place, these stories highlight the benefits of occupational therapy.

Al Roker: Occupational Therapy is a Calling

Aging Safely at Home

Overcome Senior Driver Concerns With Occupational Therapy

What is Occupational Therapy? Three Wounded Warriors Explain

Al Roker: Occupational Therapy is a Calling

At AOTA's 2017 Annual Conference & Centennial Celebration in Philadelphia, Al Roker of the Today Show shared his family's story. Roker explains that he, like a lot of people, did not know much about occupational therapy until someone close to him needed it: his son Nick.

Aging Safely at Home

What can occupational therapy do for you if you'd like to age safely in your home? Find out how this client who has COPD was able to learn energy conservation skills and make easy modifications to her house to enable her to continue living at home.

Overcome Senior Driver Concerns With Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy can assist seniors in maintaining the activities they enjoy the most. Aging or changes from medical conditions does not always mean turning in the keys. Occupational therapy practitioners can help older drivers stay safe behind the wheel and increase community mobility.

What is Occupational Therapy? Three Wounded Warriors Explain

At AOTA's 2014 Annual Conference & Expo, three keynote speakers described the profession of occupational therapy and the difference OT has made in their lives. Hear from Staff Sergeant Travis Mills, Corporal Tim Donley, and Sergeant Monte Bernardo.

For the media

Need an expert to round out an article or serve as a radio or TV guest? AOTA staff and association members are available to speak about a variety of topics.

AOTA welcomes journalists, reporters, radio personalities, photographers, film crews, and other members of the traditional news media at our conferences and events.

AOTA promotes the profession in the mainstream media by sharing news about issues affecting the profession, success stories, and more through press releases.

Let us help you get the facts about OT!

Occupational therapy promotes health, well-being, and participation

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants focus on the things you want and need to do in your daily life. Occupational therapy intervention uses everyday life activities (occupations) to promote health, well-being, and your ability to participate in the important activities in your life. This includes any meaningful activity that a person wants to accomplish, including taking care of yourself and your family, working, volunteering, going to school, among many others.

Occupational therapy services typically include:

an evaluation made just for you that lets us know your history, life experiences, and your interests. We call this your occupational profile, and it tells us what values and activities are important to you during this conversation.

an intervention plan that is unique to you to improve your ability to perform daily activities and reach your goals,

and an outcomes evaluation to make sure that the goals you set with your occupational therapy practitioner are being met.

Read the brochure "What is occupational therapy?"

What can occupational therapy do for you?

Occupational therapy can help you participate in life activities (occupations) and provide recommendations for:

Activities of daily living (such as bathing, dressing, and eating)

Adaptive equipment (such as shower chairs, or equipment to make daily tasks easier)

Caregiver and family training

Planning and making the most of daily routines

Returning to work, school, and leisure activities

Techniques to aid in memory, concentration, and executive functioning (e.g., planning and prioritizing, functional cognition)

Falls prevention and home safety and accessibility

*We encourage you to share the "What can occupational therapy do for you?" video link for educational purposes. You may not use it for merchandising, sales for profit, or fundraising. For all other uses, email copyright@aota.org.

Where do occupational therapy practitioners work?

Occupational therapy services are provided by licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, to people of all ages in homes, communities, schools, and healthcare settings.

Occupational therapy services may be provided in a client's home, community settings (e.g., community centers, shelters, free clinics), hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, primary care offices, schools, and many other locations.

Occupational therapy practitioners may also work as consultants and experts in health information technology, human centered design, addressing the health of communities, education (e.g. schools, higher education), health promotion programs, driving and community mobility, and many others.

Wherever daily activities occur, occupational therapy services can be provided!

Occupational therapy helps you achieve your goals

From a child with autism to a wounded warrior with a double amputation to an older adult aging in place, these stories highlight the benefits of occupational therapy.

Al Roker: Occupational Therapy is a Calling

Aging Safely at Home

Overcome Senior Driver Concerns With Occupational Therapy

What is Occupational Therapy? Three Wounded Warriors Explain

Al Roker: Occupational Therapy is a Calling

At AOTA's 2017 Annual Conference & Centennial Celebration in Philadelphia, Al Roker of the Today Show shared his family's story. Roker explains that he, like a lot of people, did not know much about occupational therapy until someone close to him needed it: his son Nick.

Aging Safely at Home

What can occupational therapy do for you if you'd like to age safely in your home? Find out how this client who has COPD was able to learn energy conservation skills and make easy modifications to her house to enable her to continue living at home.

Overcome Senior Driver Concerns With Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy can assist seniors in maintaining the activities they enjoy the most. Aging or changes from medical conditions does not always mean turning in the keys. Occupational therapy practitioners can help older drivers stay safe behind the wheel and increase community mobility.

What is Occupational Therapy? Three Wounded Warriors Explain

At AOTA's 2014 Annual Conference & Expo, three keynote speakers described the profession of occupational therapy and the difference OT has made in their lives. Hear from Staff Sergeant Travis Mills, Corporal Tim Donley, and Sergeant Monte Bernardo.

For the media

Need an expert to round out an article or serve as a radio or TV guest? AOTA staff and association members are available to speak about a variety of topics.

AOTA welcomes journalists, reporters, radio personalities, photographers, film crews, and other members of the traditional news media at our conferences and events.

AOTA promotes the profession in the mainstream media by sharing news about issues affecting the profession, success stories, and more through press releases.

Let us help you get the facts about OT!

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Information about the field of occupational therapy.

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History of Occupational Therapy Timeline Video

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How To Get Into OT School: Everything You Need To Know

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The reason we work so hard to contribute to the OT community is because we believe deeply in what we do and we want our work to help change people’s lives everyday for the better.

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Dr. Hart helps to empower children with upper limb differences

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Dr. Hart helps to empower children with upper limb differences

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This article highlights a specially designed camp for children with upper limb differences (ULDs) in Hawai’i. A first-of-its-kind camp for the Hawaiian islands, it included intentionally designed and culturally relevant experiences for children and their families.

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Sara Orbe, Zahava L. Friedman, and Victor M. Camacho, Volume 30 • Issue 3 • March 2025, pp. 12-17

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It takes an island: Empowering children with upper limb differences | AOTA

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The collaboration between HPU and Shriners Children’s Hawai’i will continue to grow, and we hope to add additional activities for parents as well as siblings.

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When you get your first job as a licensed occupational therapy practitioner, you usually aren't thinking about additional occupational therapy specialties right off the bat. Your primary focus is just trying to keep your head above water.

You are thrown into unfamiliar territory, and as a result you will likely spend the first few years of your career figuring out the basics and what your interests are.

For those who have spent a lot of time in a single setting like inpatient rehab, you may have grown complacent and are wondering what step to take next and how to boost your credentials.

The following is a list of 20 common occupational therapy specialties and certifications that OT practitioners can obtain. Some may take you by surprise, and some you might already be qualified for.
A quick note: Please be sure to check the linked references for the most up-to-date requirements as these can change over time.
20 Occupational Therapy Specialties to Advance Your Career

1. Gerontology (BCG)

Specialties 1-9 are all provided by AOTA's Advanced Certification via an application process. As of our most recent publishing of this article, AOTA's certifications do not require an exam but they do state that they will begin adding examinations to certifications starting in mid-2021. The below links will have the most up-to-date information on requirements.
Board Certification in Gerontology
The eligibility requirements for gerontology are as follows:

Completed application form and fee

Evidence via portfolio/examples of completed work

Professional degree in OT

Certified or licensed by and in good standing with an AOTA-recognized credentialing or regulatory body

Minimum of 3 years practicing as an OT

Minimum of 3,000 hours in any capacity of gerontology

Minimum of 500 hours delivering OT services in gerontology within the past 5 years

Verification of employment

2. Mental Health (BCMH)
Board Certification in Mental Health
Eligibility requirements are as follows:

Completed application form and fee

Evidence via portfolio/examples of completed work

Professional degree in OT

Certified or licensed by and in good standing with an AOTA-recognized credentialing or regulatory body

Minimum of 3 years practicing as an OT

Minimum of 3,000 hours in any capacity of Mental Health

Minimum of 500 hours delivering OT services in mental health within the past 5 years

Verification of employment

3. Pediatrics (BCP)
Board Certification in Pediatrics
Eligibility requirements are as follows:

Completed application form and fee

Evidence via portfolio/examples of completed work

Professional degree in OT

Certified or licensed by and in good standing with an AOTA-recognized credentialing or regulatory body

Minimum of 3 years practicing as an OT

Minimum of 3,000 hours in any capacity of pediatrics

Minimum of 500 hours delivering OT services in pediatrics within the past 5 years

4. Physical Rehabilitation (BCPR)
Board Certification in Physical Rehabilitation
Eligibility requirements are as follows:

Completed application form and fee

Evidence via portfolio/examples of completed work

Professional degree in OT

Certified or licensed by and in good standing with an AOTA-recognized credentialing or regulatory body

Minimum of 3 years practicing as an OT

Minimum of 3,000 hours in any capacity of physical rehabilitation

Minimum of 500 hours delivering OT services in physical rehabilitation within the past 5 years

Verification of employment

5. Driving and Community Mobility (SCDCM or SCDCM-A)
Specialty Certification in Driving and Community Mobility
Eligibility requirements are as follows:

Completed application form and fee

Evidence via portfolio/examples of completed work

Professional degree in OT

Certified or licensed by and in good standing with an AOTA-recognized credentialing or regulatory body

Minimum of 3 years practicing as an OT

Minimum of 3,000 hours in any capacity of driving rehabilitation

Minimum of 5 00 hours delivering direct OT services within driving and community mobility (within the past 5 years)

Verification of employment

6. Environmental Modification (SCEM or SCEM-A)
Specialty Certification in Environmental Modification
Eligibility requirements:

Completed application form and fee

Evidence via portfolio/examples of completed work

Verification of employment

Professional degree in OT

Certified or licensed by and in good standing with an AOTA-recognized credentialing or regulatory body

Minimum of 3 years practicing as an OT

Minimum of 3,000 hours as in any capacity of environmental modifications

Minimum of 5 00 hours delivering direct OT services within environmental modification

Verification of employment

7. Feeding, Eating, and Swallowing (SCFES or SCFES-A)
Specialty Certification in Feeding, Eating and Swallowing
Eligibility requirements:

Completed application form and fee

Evidence via portfolio/examples of completed work

Professional degree in OT

Certified or licensed by and in good standing with an AOTA-recognized credentialing or regulatory body

Minimum of 3 years practicing as an OT

Minimum of 3,000 hours working in this specialty in any capacity

Minimum of 5 00 hours delivering OT services within feeding, eating, and swallowing (within the past 5 years)

Verification of employment

8. Low Vision (SCLV or SCLV-A)
Specialty Certification in Low Vision
Eligibility requirements:

Completed application form and fee

Evidence via portfolio/examples of completed work

Professional degree in OT

Certified or licensed by and in good standing with an AOTA-recognized credentialing or regulatory body

Minimum of 3 years practicing as an OT

Minimum of 3, 000 hours working in low vision in any capacity

Minimum of 5 00 hours delivering direct OT services within low vision (within the past 5 years)

Verification of employment

9. School Systems (SCSS or SCSS-A)
Specialty Certification in School Systems
Eligibility Requirements:

Professional degree in OT

Certified or licensed by and in good standing with an AOTA-recognized credentialing or regulatory body

Minimum of 3 years practicing as an OT

Minimum of 3,000 hours in school-based OT in any capacity

Minimum of 500 hours delivering direct OT services within the school system (within the past 5 years)

Verification of employment

10. Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)

Eligibility requirements are as follows:

Occupational or physical therapist for three years

4,000 hours of direct hand therapy practice experience (obtained in any country). Upcoming and projected hours are not accepted prior to the application deadline.

Must pass the Certified Hand Therapist exam

Read more about how to become a Certified Hand Therapist here.

11. Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT)
Norton School of Lymphadema Therapy The Brennan School of Innovative Lymphatic Studies
Eligibility requirements are as follows:

Licensed occupational therapist

The course is 135 hours long divided into classroom instruction and home study

The current cost for the entire course is $3,200

12. Assistive Technology Professional (ATP)
ATP Exam Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility requirements include:

A variety of educational backgrounds are accepted, ranging from high school diploma to Master's degree or higher

Total hours of assistive tech-related training will depend on the degree received (10, 20, or 30 hours)

Half of training hours need to be met at IACET or University approved continuing education units; the other half may be fulfilled by other Continuing Education Credits or documented contact hours

Training hours must be completed in same time frame as your work experience

13. Seating and Mobility Specialist (ATP/SMS)
SMS Exam Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility requirements include:

You have already obtained ATP certification

1,000 hours or more in seating and mobility-related service with consumers at any time in your professional experience

Two types of professional activities completed in the last 5 years: Continuing education, client service delivery, advocacy, mentoring, presentation, publication, leadership

14. Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist (CSRS)
Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist
Eligibility requirements include:

Licensed occupational or physical therapist

The educational program includes four 8-hour seminars costing a total of $800 for all four courses

The cost of the exam is ranges from $150-$175 depending on National Stroke Association membership

15. Neuro-Developmental Treatment Certification (C/NDT)
Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association
Eligibility requirements include:

Completion of at least one of the following courses:

Course in the Management of Adults with Stroke and Brain Injury

NDT/Bobath Certificate Course in the Management & Treatment of Children with Cerebral Palsy and Other Neuromotor Disorders

Hold an active NDTA membership.

Apply within 12 months of successful course completion (with $150 application fee if submitted after 30 days of the course end date).

16. Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS)
Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS)
Eligibility requirements include:

Completion of the following courses:

Marketing and Communicating with the Aging in Place Client (CAPS I)

Design Concepts for Livable Homes and Aging in Place (CAPS II)

Details and Solutions for Livable Homes and Aging in Place (CAPS III)

Completion of online CAPS graduation application

Signed copy of CAPS code of ethics pledge

Submit application fee

17. Certified Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist
Certified AHCB Hippotherapy Specialist
Eligibility requirements include:

Licensed or certified OT, PT, SLP, or certified assistant

One year of full-time experience in practice

Taking AHA Level I and II courses

A minimum of 25 hours of one-on-one direct treatment in clinical practice using hippotherapy following Level II course

Experience/comfort working with horses

18. Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIST)
Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS)
Eligibility requirements include:

500 hours of currently verifiable direct contact experience with an individual or individuals with brain injury (through paid employment or academic internship; volunteer work does not count)

Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent

The class currently costs $300

19. Saebo Certified Therapist

Not familiar with Saebo? You can read more about Saebo on their website and can find the Saebo Certification course list here.

Saebo eligibility requirements include:

Licensed occupational or physical therapist or COTA/PTA

Have experience with fabricating and fitting splints/orthotics

Have experience with evaluation and treatment of neurological patients

Currently have an active caseload consisting of neurological patients that are appropriate for the Saebo program

20. Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)
Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)
Eligibility requirements include:

Meet the discipline requirement (which includes licensed occupational therapists)

Obtain a minimum of 2 years professional practice experience after meeting the discipline requirement

Obtain 1,000 hours providing diabetes care and education within 4 years of applying

Take 15 hours of continuing education applicable to diabetes prior to taking the exam

________________

We hope this list gave you a few ideas to get started on increasing your credentials!

What other occupational therapy specialties or certifications would you add to this list? Please share in the comments below!
This post was originally published on May 11, 2018 and updated on February 8, 2021.

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20 Occupational Therapy Specialties to Advance Your Career - myotspot.com

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When you get your first job as a licensed occupational therapy practitioner, you usually aren't thinking about additional occupational therapy specialties right off the bat. Your primary focus is just trying to keep your head above water.

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As an occupational therapy student, I remember being completely overwhelmed by all the different practice settings where an OT can work. In particular, I had trouble discerning between inpatient hospitals (also known as acute care hospitals) and acute rehab hospitals. In my head, I used those words interchangeably until I finally learned more detail behind each setting.

Therapists in these roles do have a lot of overlap simply because they are both hospital-based. An OT in an inpatient/acute care hospital will work with patients who have short lengths of stay due to acute health concerns.

As a result, therapists will usually work with a patient for 3-5 days (sometimes even less) before they are discharged to their home. Therapists working in acute care departments are very swift and to-the-point in the work they do with patients. Occupational therapy's role in acute care also includes:

Assessing Safety in Preparation for Discharge

Patients will either go to their home, short term rehab, or back to a long-term care facility where they reside. This means therapists will make recommendations for a patient's level of care upon discharge, including notifying other team members such as care coordinators and social workers of a major change in status due to the patient's hospitalization/medical concerns; therapists may recommend that patient have stand-by assist during ADLs, 24/7 care due to unsafe behaviors, or anything in between.

Resumption of Daily Activities

While OTs in this setting do not usually have enough time in the plan of care to focus on IADLs or leisure, they do help patients get started on returning to their previous level of functioning as it pertains to self-care and ADLs; this is crucial because patients will need this jump start on rehabilitation whether they are transferred to a short-term rehab facility before going home or they return directly to their home and begin home care or outpatient services.

Ordering Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

Some patients may not need much rehabilitation following short hospital stays, but a lot of people who are in the hospital for a brief period of time are those who recently had surgery or another medical procedure. As a result, they may need temporary assistance in the form of equipment such as 3-in-1 commodes, crutches, walkers, braces, orthoses, and more.

Other individuals, especially older adults, may experience a decline in overall health status due to an exacerbation of a chronic condition. In this case, such equipment may be more of a permanent accommodation.

Regardless of why (or how long) someone needs DME, such tools allow patients to remain as independent as possible while accommodating for their change in abilities. OTs in inpatient care settings do the foundational work early on to measure patients for this equipment and complete the relevant assessments to ensure they are a good fit.

Equipment is usually sent directly to the patient's home and therapists or caregivers can assist with assembling it and making adjustments there. However, it's crucial that therapists guarantee these tools are in the home before a patient gets there, since their release from the hospital is usually contingent on having a safe and accommodating place to return to.

Many of the job duties of an occupational therapist in acute rehabilitation are very similar to those associated with inpatient/acute care services. The main difference between these two settings is the length of time that patients are seen for. Most people in acute care are recommended to get a screening or evaluation to see if they may need occupational, physical, or speech therapy.

Sometimes they end up getting services and sometimes the screen shows they don't need it. If they end up qualifying for services based on a medical need, they will usually get services three to five times per week until they are discharged.

What About Acute Rehab?

In acute rehab, patients must be recommended for these services while in acute care, since acute rehab is far more intense than other OT services. Sometimes this takes place in a separate part of a hospital with one part being acute care and another portion other dedicated to acute rehabilitation. Patients might even be transferred to a separate facility altogether that is only for acute rehabilitation.

This is called an inpatient rehabilitation facility (or IRF). Either way, someone qualifies for acute rehabilitation by being able to tolerate at least three hours of daily therapy five days per week. If they show a lot of progress and motivation for improvement, the rest of the treatment team will recommend them for acute rehab.

While in this program, they must continually make progress in order to remain at this level of care. Otherwise, they may be discharged to another type of short-term rehab such as a skilled nursing facility.

Common Diagnoses OTs in Inpatient Settings Will See

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have a list of qualifying diagnoses that at least 60% of acute rehabilitation patients must have in order for the facility to receive reimbursement. There are thirteen diagnoses that include:

Congenital deformity

Stroke

Spinal cord injury

Brain injury

Amputation

Major multiple trauma (MMT)

Hip fracture

Burns

Some neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease

One of three types of arthritis that have not responded to outpatient therapy

Bilateral hip or knee replacements in patients with a BMI > 50 or those who are over 85 years old

Common Interventions for Inpatient OTs

As you can see, there is quite a big difference between the intensity of these two practice settings. But the good news is that there is not much delineation between the types of treatment they provide. Therapists in both inpatient care settings and acute rehabilitation settings both engage patients in treatments that address:

_______________

If you are interested in working in one or both of these practice settings, it's a great way to get a lot of experience with many diagnoses. Both of these inpatient settings see patients both old and young with chronic conditions and acute health issues, so you will be able to understand the impact that a variety of factors has on the rehabilitation process.

If you've shadowed or had a fieldwork rotation in one or both of these settings, what's your favorite part about an OT's role in inpatient? If you haven't had experience in acute care or inpatient rehabilitation settings, do you think you'd like working in one? Let us know in the comments!

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Occupational Therapy's Role in Inpatient Settings - myotspot.com

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As an occupational therapy student, I remember being completely overwhelmed by all the different practice settings where an OT can work. In particular, I had trouble discerning between inpatient hospitals (also known as acute care hospitals) and acute rehab hospitals. In my head, I used those words interchangeably until I finally learned more detail behind each setting.

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Academic failure.

Noncompliance.

Misbehavior.

All can indicate occupational therapy needs within the school setting (Case-Smith, 2002).

A student may not have the fine motor skills or hand strength to complete a writing task, and may fail the assignment. A student may focus so much on writing and copying the notes that they cannot attend to the content of the lesson.

A student may outright refuse to complete an assignment or act out in an attempt to escape or avoid the embarrassment of being unable to perform in the classroom, resulting in noncompliance and misbehavior.

This is when a school-based occupational therapist (OT) can create a turnaround in the classroom, and in this article, we review this therapy with some practical examples.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free. These science-based exercises will explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology including strengths, values, and self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees.

What Is School-Based Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy does its best to match a child's ability to the demands presented in school.

OT intervention is critical for students with the difficulties mentioned above, mainly because "schools have the responsibility to contribute to the health and development of children in their care and because children have no choice but to spend a certain period of time each day at school" (Bundy et al., 2008, p. 523).

The role of OTs in a school setting is to equalize a student's abilities to the tasks required; however, the role of the OT has expanded to much more than fine motor skills such as handwriting and scissor skill work.

OTs may work with students with physical limitations, developmental delays, learning disorders, speech or language concerns, hearing or visual impairments, or behavior or emotional difficulties. OTs may work with students on self-regulation skills, attention to task, or sensory challenges.

An OT is part of a child's education team. For example, if a child qualifies for an individualized education plan under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, they may be eligible for occupational therapy services.

Sometimes, a certified occupational therapy assistant may support the OT and students by providing interventions prescribed by the OT.

School-Based OTs: A Job Description

The overall responsibility of a school-based OT is to furnish support and provide interventions for students to engage in school activities and achieve independence within the school setting (Campbell, 2019).

OTs first begin by assessing a student's fine and gross motor skills, visual perception, attention to task, and sensory processing. OTs may use common assessments, such as (Parham, Clark, Watling, & Schaaf, 2019; Rodger, 1994):

Motor-Free Visual Perception Test

Bruininks Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2)

Visual-Motor Integration Test

Ayres's Clinical Observations

Revised Gesell Developmental Schedules

Sensory Processing Measure

Questionnaires, standardized assessments, and interviews are also used to determine if a student is eligible for OT services (Campbell, 2019).

If a student demonstrates a need for occupational therapy, the OT will collaborate with the student's team to recommend a plan and create goals. OTs deliver services within the school setting, including pull-out or push-in services.

Pull-out services require the OT to remove the student from the general education setting for one-on-one or small group instruction. In contrast, push-in services involve the OT's inclusion within the general education setting, where they deliver real-time feedback and accommodations and assist other students within the classroom.

Ongoing data collection is essential, as this determines students' progress toward goals and intervention success. Documentation in occupational therapy is the most critical skill, although it is often the most dreaded OT task (Sladyk, 1997).

The average caseload for an OT is approximately 44 students (Spencer, Turkett, Vaughan, & Koenig, 2006); therefore, it would be beneficial for an OT to be organized and efficient.

Patience is another helpful virtue for this profession.

Additionally, OTs need to collaborate with school staff members, parents, and students; therefore, good written and verbal communication skills would be required.

An undergraduate degree is needed to become a school-based OT; OTs may eventually want to pursue a master's degree to remain marketable and up to date with the latest interventions. Some areas require specific state certifications or licenses to practice occupational therapy.

School-based OTs may work in traditional brick-and-mortar school buildings or from a teletherapy setting for rural or difficult-to-staff school districts. Having students at various schools within a district or even multiple districts within a local education agency is typical.

6 Practical Examples of OT Goals

With the help of the school team and considering the needs stated in the initial assessments, OTs suggest precise goals that students should master to improve their functioning within the school setting. The OT and student address these goals during each session and track the progress made.

OT goals should be SMART+R, meaning they are specific, measurable, attainable, result oriented, timely, and include a reward. For help writing SMART+R goals, you can use our Setting SMART+R Goals worksheet.

There are countless formats to follow. Fusion is an excellent resource for various goal formats and additional examples. Here are some specific examples of OT goals in practice.

Fine motor skills

Samantha is a kindergartener who has demonstrated difficulty with the fine motor skill of cutting. She struggles to hold the scissors correctly.

Therefore, this goal is appropriate to help improve her ability to use scissors to cut simple shapes:

Samantha will cut simple shapes, such as squares and rectangles, out of paper with smooth edges in three of five trials with limited help and 50% verbal cues to promote hand-eye coordination.

Writing

Bryan is a second-grader whose handwriting is illegible. He also receives specialized academic instruction for reading because he continues to have difficulty recalling the sounds that letters make.

Bryan is able to copy letters that are on the same writing plane (i.e., a small whiteboard on his desk, but not the large whiteboard at the front of the room). He does his best to copy the letters; however, his letters do not consist of the straight lines required.

Here is an example of a goal for this student:

Given a model, Bryan will draw straight line capital letters three times in four out of five treatment sessions with no assist and 20% verbal cues for increased graphomotor skills while maintaining a tripod grasp.

Communication

Desiree is a sixth-grade student in the life skills class who is nonverbal. The ultimate goal for her will be communicating with her caregivers. To communicate, she will be continuing to practice her speech and will be learning sign language.

The following goal will help Desiree communicate:

With fading prompts, Desiree will use 10 signs, gestures, or word approximations to request, protest, greet, and answer yes/no questions during therapy sessions for 80% of opportunities in 4/5 consecutive sessions.

Sensory processing

During class, particularly circle time, Sharon exhibits difficulty remaining seated and participating with her peers. She may sometimes hit a peer who is making too much noise.

Sensory modulation skills are taught explicitly, and she is on a sensory diet (distracting sights, sounds, smells, etc. are avoided).

Sharon would benefit from the following goal:

Using sensory strategies, Sharon will show appropriate sensory modulation skills to sit and take part in circle time in the classroom without aggression toward peers in four out of five days of the week as measured by observational data.

Self-regulation

While waiting for the teacher in the hallway, Rylan sometimes loses his patience by irritating other students, making inappropriate noises, and running around in the hallway.

Rylan will attend occupational therapy sessions to help increase his stamina for standing in line.

The teacher is encouraged to provide frequent positive reinforcement in the classroom and will be able to provide verbal reminders while the class is waiting in the hallway.

Rylan will tolerate standing in line without tantrums or other poor behaviors with 50% verbal cues three out of five times as measured by behavioral data.

Self-care

Caydence is also in a life skills class and her individualized education program team wishes for her to be more independent in her self-care skills.

The team would first like to begin working on the tasks of brushing her hair and washing her face. She is able to grasp the hairbrush appropriately and can manipulate her hands to wash her face effectively with some assistance.

A task chart will be used to remind Caydence to perform these activities daily, with the following goals:

Given a task chart, Caydence will perform grooming tasks like brushing her hair and washing her face with 85% assistance and 40% verbal cues for increased functional independence in daily life.

Using Art Therapy in Schools

Occupational therapy is widely known as a profession that often uses creativity in its practice (Bathje, 2012).

To gain an understanding of some art-based activities that OTs might use in their practice, review our article on Art Therapy. To be clear, OTs are not art therapists; however, using some of the same strategies could enhance the practice of occupational therapy and attain functional goals.

Several benefits of Art Therapy include promoting personal change, development of identity, and self-awareness (Blomdahl, Gunnarsson, Guregård, & Björklund, 2013).

Further, Blomdahl et al. (2013) indicate that Art Therapy is valuable in a variety of clinical situations, including depression, which was mentioned as one of three major concerns for students.

Many OTs work with students who are on the autism spectrum. Students with an autism spectrum disorder may benefit from Art Therapy in introducing strategies for behavioral patterns, sensory issues, tactile awareness, auditory and olfactory sensitivity, emotional issues, motor skills, communication, social skills, and visual thinking (Alter-Muri, 2017).

A Look Into School-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Mental health continues to be a substantial area of need for many students, and OTs are on the front line in identifying and providing early intervention for these students.

Many students experience anxiety and depression and have difficulties with social relationships (Chan, Dennis, Kim, & Jankowski, 2017). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is an effective intervention that could prevent the effects of anxiety, such as diminished academic functioning, peer problems, and other psychopathology (Chan et al., 2017; Haugland et al., 2020; Stallard et al., 2014).

CBT is an intervention used to challenge and change troublesome thoughts, behaviors, and emotions through a change in cognition, behavior, and emotional regulation.

In using CBT, an OT is practicing in a cognitive-behavioral frame of reference, meaning the therapist considers that thoughts, behaviors, emotion/mood, physiological responses, and the environment are all interrelated aspects of the human experience.

This paradigm is critical because a change in one of these areas could improve or deteriorate in another (Duncan, 2011). CBT techniques may include deep-breathing exercises for anxiety, systematic desensitization for phobias, and graded activity scheduling and diaries for chronic fatigue (Duncan, 2011).

The OT Dude offers several examples to help students identify irrational ideas, demonstrate the illogic, and replace those thoughts with more positive ideas.

Some of these strategies include:

Homework and journals

Role-play

Assertiveness training

Additional benefits and strategies of CBT can be found in our Benefits of CBT According to Science article. In addition, we provide several worksheets concerning CBT that may be of use below.

PositivePsychology.com's Useful Resources

When making use of CBT, OTs can fill out these worksheets to gain a better understanding of the student.

The ABC Functional Analysis Worksheet details the classic ABC technique to collect information on problematic behavior. An OT can use this worksheet for a student who demonstrates behavior concerns or refusals.

Our Case Formulation Worksheet guides professionals in the four CBT steps to identify the factors contributing to the problem: predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating, and protective.

An OT may want to refer to the Graded Exposure Worksheet in addressing fears or tactile aversions. Likewise, an OT may wish to use the Imagery-Based Exposure Worksheet to allow the student to self-evaluate using seven steps.

Social skills are crucial to child development, and many OTs work with students who struggle with social skills. You can refer to our resource on Social Skills Training for Kids to pad your toolkit.

Developed by the founders of PositivePsychology.com, Quenza is a client-tracking program that will give you everything you need to monitor student progress in real time so you can stay on top of your students' improvements and deliver even better occupational therapy outcomes.

This tool encompasses all therapy elements in one easy-to-use system. OTs can use the intake forms, assign homework exercises, assess with questionnaires, and evaluate with feedback forms. Using each of these components and easily converting the results into manageable notes would produce comprehensive records. Quenza offers a $1 trial.

17 Positive Psychology Exercises - If you're looking for more science-based ways to help others enhance their wellbeing, this signature collection contains 17 validated positive psychology tools for practitioners. Use them to help others flourish and thrive.

A Take-Home Message

Occupational therapists have the enormous task of helping a child fulfill their role as a student. OT-related issues that lead to academic trouble, such as illegible handwriting leading to poor grades, can derail a child's education and career prospects.

OTs can be the saving grace, from helping students write legible letters to maintaining self-control in sensory-rich situations.

No matter the goal, OTs use various methods, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Art Therapy, to assist children in achieving their goals, ultimately helping students to become more independent at school and learn to find their place in the world.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don't forget to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free.

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School-Based Occupational Therapy and Its Goals Explained

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Academic failure. Noncompliance. Misbehavior. All can indicate occupational therapy needs within the school setting (Case-Smith, 2002). A student may not have the fine motor skills or hand strength to complete a writing task, and may fail the assignment. A student may focus so much on writing and copying the notes that they cannot attend to the content of the lesson.

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Occupational Therapist : Careers in Mental Health

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HPU OTD Las Vegas Events - Hawaii Pacific University

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The mission of the financial aid office is to help remove financial barriers and to assist students in meeting the cost of attendance at HPU.

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General Information about HPU’s Business Office

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On-demand episodes

December 2023

On this episode we speak with Leslie Bennett, the Chairperson of the Ethics Commission at AOTA. We discuss medical ethics, common red flags practitioners can keep an eye out for, and outline real life scenarios and recommendations to facilitate ethical awareness and practice.
AOTA Code of Ethics AOTA Ethics Web Page
November 2023

On this episode we speak with American International College Professor and CDC Act Early Ambassador, Kate Barlow. We discuss the importance of occupational therapy in public health and how practitioners can increase their scope and have a larger role in public health initiatives.
Massachusetts Act Early Developmental Screening Week Find your Act Early Ambassador Read the episode transcript
October 2023

On this episode we speak with the Chairperson of the Volunteer Leadership Development Committee (VLDC), Moira P. Bushell. She describes the role of the VLDC and outlines how volunteering with AOTA can enhance knowledge, practice, and community.
Get Involved! Micro-Volunteer opportunities
September 2023

On this episode we speak with the Executive Director of Memory Care Home Solutions, Jill Cigliana, and Scott Trudeau, the Director of Practice Engagement at AOTA. They outline the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience Model (GUIDE), recently announced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and provide recommendations for how OT practitioners can advocate for their own involvement in the model's application.
GUIDE Model Dementia Care Evidence Based Programs Family Caregiver Alliance Read the episode transcript
August 2023

On this episode we speak with Frank Gainer, Vice President of Meetings and Events at AOTA, about the background, concerns, and additional safety measures and efforts related to the INSPIRE 2024 conference in Orlando, Florida.
Read the episode transcript
March 2023

On this episode we speak with Sue Ram and Krysti Teng, new practitioners and emerging leaders within occupational therapy. They share how they've used AOTA resources and connections to transition from students to practitioners. We discuss how to make meaningful connections that encourage best practice and how to combat common struggles including burnout and feeling confident in your practice.
Read the episode transcript
February 22, 2023

On this episode we preview AOTA INSPIRE | 2023 Annual Conference & Expo which takes place in Kansas City, Missouri April 20-23. We speak with AOTA president Alyson Stover, Fireside Chat presenter Sarah Thomas, and Keynote Speaker John O'Leary. They share what they are most excited for about conference, tips and tricks to get the most out of your experience, and preview the messages they will present at INSPIRE 2023.
Register today! Read the episode transcript
January 25, 2023

On this episode we are joined by Virginia "Ginny" Stoffel and Lisa Mahaffey. Ginny and Lisa were instrumental in the 988 Nationwide mental health crisis and suicide prevention program. We discuss the 988 Suicide and Crisis lifeline, it's connection to occupational therapy, and principles and implications of 988 for occupational therapy practitioners across settings.
Connecting occupational therapy and 988 Connecting OT and 988 infographic Opportunities for practitioners to collaborate in shaping mental health policy and practice to support the 988 Initiative Read the episode transcript
December 7, 2022

On this episode we speak with Kelsey Berg, Clinical Operations Manager at Magellan Health and Gina Braswell, Senior Manager of Provider Relations at Magellan Health. They detail their roles in utilization review and share how they approach reviewing occupational therapy documentation and authorization requests. They share important recommendations for quality documentation and quality care.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services AOTA Documentation Practice Essentials AOTA Documentation webinar Read the episode transcript
November 23, 2022

AOTA's Grassroots and Political Action Committee Specialist Jill Tighe discusses advocacy, policy, and recommendations on how to begin or continue to advocate for occupational therapy. Jill manages AOTA's Legislative Action Center and AOTA's Annual Advocacy Events.
Congress.gov Legislative Action Center Email with your advocacy questions
Read the episode transcript

October 19, 2022

AOTA's Executive Director, Sherry Keramidas and past AOTA President Amy Lamb outline the design and content development for the new AOTA LEAD 360° program and share insights and recommendations for OT professionals.
Learn more about AOTA LEAD 360°
Read the episode transcript

August 17, 2022

Alyson and Arameh discuss the journey that brought them to become AOTA President and Vice President, the priorities and goals for their terms of service, and recommendations for OT professionals across settings to propel our profession to new heights.

March 16, 2022

AOTA INSPIRE 2022 keynote speaker, Dr. Bertice Berry, gives insight into her keynote address and shares how one OT practitioner's advice helped her heal from a head injury.

December 9, 2021

The final Medicare home health PPS rule permanently allows occupational therapists to perform the initial and comprehensive assessments required to open Medicare home health therapy cases beginning on January 1, 2022. Jennifer Bogenrief, AOTA Assistant Director of Regulatory Affairs, Karen Vance, BSOT, and Clarice Grote, MS, OTR/L, share what the final rule means for OTs.

September 15, 2021

Monica Wright, AOTA Manager of Coding and Payment Policy, shares what telehealth advocacy efforts AOTA has done on behalf of the profession. Also, Mary Jo McGuire, MS, OTR/L, OTPP, FAOTA, a community-based practitioner; and Lourdes Pinder, OTR/L, a school-based practitioner, share how telehealth has impacted their day-to-day work.

August 4, 2021

Amy Lynch, PhD, OTR/L, lead editor of the upcoming AOTA Press book Trauma, Occupation, and Participation: Foundations and Population Considerations in Occupational Therapy shares why it's critical for occupational therapy practitioners to fully understand how trauma affects the clients they serve.

June 24, 2021

Members of the study's advisory committee, Sharmila Sandu, JD; Natalie Leland, PhD, OTR/L, BCG, FAOTA, FGSA; and Tracy Mroz, PhD, OTR/L, share key findings and their implications for CMS' ongoing implementation of post-acute care payment system reforms. Read more about the study.

April 29, 2021

As an occupational therapy clinician, educator, researcher, or student, you help people to participate in the things they want and need to do. In today's episode, we speak with occupational therapists Shannen Marie Coley and Dr. Heather Jackson-Pena, who are using their platforms to educate thousands in celebration of Occupational Therapy Month.

March 29, 2021

Due to COVID-19 precautions, AOTA is hosting the organization's first virtual Annual Conference, reimagined as AOTA INSPIRE 2021. In this episode, we touched base with members of AOTA's Conferences and Events planning team to get a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into organizing such a unique conference.

Feb. 25, 2021

In 2019, representatives from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), and the Council of State Governments (CSG) announced that they would collaborate to support developing an interstate licensure compact for occupational therapy. Similar to a driver's license, this compact will allow practitioners to practice in multiple states without having to secure a new license in each state.

Jan. 20, 2021

New policies, regulations, and laws championed by newly inaugurated President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris may impact the occupational therapy profession. AOTA Vice President of Federal Affairs Heather Parsons, MSOT; and AOTA Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Sharmila Sandhu, JD, outline their advocacy priorities and predictions under this new Administration.

Dec. 7, 2020

Occupational Therapist Elin Schold-Davis, OTR/L, CDRS, FAOTA, discusses AOTA's Older Driver Safety Awareness Week and safe travel options for older drivers. She also shares how occupational therapy practitioners should identify individuals' unique challenges.

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The AOTA podcast features experts in the field of occupational therapy from various areas of practice who explore how to maximize health for all people.

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Aloha! Welcome to my calendar page, please choose a time and date that best fits your schedule. I look forward to speaking with you. Mahalo!

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Welcome to the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) for the 2024-2025 cycle. Review all OTCAS and program-specific instructions in order to properly complete the application process, including the submission of transcripts, references, test scores, OT observations hours, essay, supplemental materials, and other important items.

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Occupational Therapists Career Video - Career OneStop

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Occupational Therapists Career Video - Career OneStop

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Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: HPU OTD - Las Vegas Program. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

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These webinar sessions are a good place to learn all about HPU, the OTD program, and how the accelerated hybrid program works.

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Student FAQ: Program Accreditation Status

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Student FAQ: Program Accreditation Status

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During a period of Probationary Accreditation, programs are accredited, and graduates are eligible to take the NBCOT certification exam.

If a program is not in compliance with one or more ACOTE Accreditation Standards, ACOTE may change a program's status to Probationary Accreditation for any of the following reasons:

1. The areas of noncompliance may impact the program's capability to provide acceptable educational experiences for the students.

2. The program has failed to document significant progress toward compliance with one or more cited areas of noncompliance.

3. The program is in jeopardy of having its accreditation status withdrawn due to the mandated time limit for carrying areas of noncompliance.

Click on "Disclosure Statement" under the program listing to obtain more information about the reasons that the program was placed on Probationary Accreditation status.

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During a period of Probationary Accreditation, programs are accredited, and graduates are eligible to take the NBCOT certification exam. If a program is not in compliance with one or more ACOTE Accreditation Standards, ACOTE may change a program's status to Probationary Accreditation for any of the following reasons: The areas of noncompliance may impact the program's capability to provide acceptable educational experiences for the students.

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Our admissions team receives many questions about whether students can work. While this is specific to each student, we thought it might be helpful to hear it firsthand from our students.

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HPU OTD LV_Time & Committment Interview_01.2026

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Term 5 Lab Immersion - OT Children & Youth

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Term 5 Lab Immersion - OT Children & Youth

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Hawaiʻi Pacific University - OTD Program Information Las Vegas

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HPU OTD LV_Lab Immersion Travel Recommendations

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Tips for when traveling to Lab Immersions

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Tips for when traveling to Lab Immersions

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Hear what works best from those who know best!

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HPU OTD LV_Lab Immersion Travel Recommendations_01.2026

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All HPU OTD – Las Vegas lab immersion courses will be conducted in-person at our brand-new lab space Las Vegas! The campus is located in the southwest part of the valley, north of Interstate 215 (exit Jones). Students who do not live in the Las Vegas area are required to arrange their own lodging accommodations during each session. We strongly support students connecting with each other and sharing costs!

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Guide to Navigate Kira Talent Confidently

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Guide to Navigate Kira Talent Confidently

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Navigating the Kira Talent made easier with the help of our admissions support team guiding you through the platform and prepare for your interview.

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We wanted to help you navigate Kira Talent for your Interview and share a few tips to help you put your best self forward when meeting with the OTD Las Vegas program team.

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Class of 2027

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HPU OTD LV_Academic Calendar Class of 2027_03.2026

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An insight into the schedule so students can plan ahead!

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HPU OTD LV_Class of 2028 Academic Calendar_Multi Page Flyer (Digital) copy