Simply, Occupational Therapy is an integral component of all health care, educational, welfare, wellness, and social systems that support those with disabling conditions and the poor and disenfranchised members of our society.

O.T.'s provide skilled treatment that help individuals of all ages achieve and maintain the lifestyles they aspire to and engage in occupations of their choice.

Services typically include:

• Individualised treatment programmes to improve one's ability to perform daily activities
• Comprehensive home and job site evaluations with adaptation recommendations
• Performance skills assessments and treatment
• Adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training
• Training and guidence to family members, teachers and caregivers

We work in teams with one or all of the following: Doctors, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Psychologist, Social Workers and Support Workers (and other health related professionals, depending on the area of work). Naturally some of these roles overlap, but the thing that makes O.T.'s different is our use of ACTIVITY within treatment.

We work from a philosophy that ACTIVITY is integral and central to the well being of every individual, whether that is being able to brush your teeth, walk the dog or return to work. Activity is used as the primary therapeutic tool within O.T., and the nature of the activity is determined by the patient (or client's) disability/dysfunction, their identified needs and their personal goals. We call this a CLIENT-CENTRED approach using MEANINGFUL ACTIVITY. Each person is different, so the activity used therapeutically also differs from person to person. As O.T.'s we believe strongly that the client is the most important person when it comes to their rehabilitation and recovery, and therefore we work with the client at their pace to achieve the set goals, never racing ahead or jeopardizing the process.

Occupational Therapists are located in hospitals, clinics, community settings, day centres and schools.

At present there are only 5 O.T's working in government funded jobs, the others are working privately. This is why we need more O.T.'s in T&T, to reform the face of health care and to provide a 21st Century, quality service to every individual who requires health or social care. Proper delivery of quality health care cannot be achieved with such few O.T.'s in Trinidad and Tobago.

What examples are there of people who benefit from O.T.?

1. Work-related injuries including lower back problems or repetitive stress injuries

2. Limitations following a stroke or heart attack

3. Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, or other serious chronic condition

4. Birth injuries, learning and behavioural problems, or developmental disabilities

5. Mental Health problems, including Alzheimer's disease, Schizophrenia, and post traumatic stress

6. Substance misuse and eating disorders

7. Burns, Spinal Cord injuries, or amputations

8. broken bones or other injuries from falls, sports injuries or accidents