Occupational Therapists
What do occupational therapists do?
Occupational therapy aims to help people with disabilities achieve their optimum level of functioning. By using therapeutic activities, both physical and psychosocial functions of clients are enhanced or maintained. Occupational therapists also help their clients restore their roles in their family, workplace and the community.
Occupational therapists work with people of all ages who have functional deficits due to illness or accidents. We contribute in the following speciality areas to serve different client groups:
| Fields | Clienteles | Treatment Modalities |
|---|---|---|
| Paediatric | Learning difficulties, mentally retarded, developmental disorders | Sensory integration, hand-writing training |
| Physical | Orthopedics, Cardo-Pulmonary, burns | Splints, pressure therapy, self-care training |
| Geriatric | Stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease | Reminiscence therapy, reality orientation |
| Psychiatric | Mood disorder, psychosis, substance abuse | Cognitive-behavorial therapy, social skills training |
| Cognitive | Traumatic brain injury | Memory, attention, sensory perception training |
| Vocational | Low back pain, cumulative traumatic diseases | Ergonomics, simulated work training |
| Environmental Issues | All clients listed above | Home modification, adaptive device prescription |
Where do occupational therapists work?
Occupational therapists practise in a variety of settings encompassing both health and welfare sectors, including public and private health organizations, hospitals and rehabilitation centres, nursing homes, special schools, early education training centres, sheltered workshops, hostels, long-stay care homes, vocational training centres, private practices, and consultant agency firms.
Professional recognition
Graduates of our BSc(Hons) in Occupational Therapy programme are recognized by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists and are eligible for registration and practice in overseas countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK, the US, and Singapore.
Further information
For more details, please visit the website of our Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/rs/.
