However, therapy is such a broad specialty that individuals need a bit more detail. For example, there are literally dozens of different types of therapy jobs, including ? Physical Therapy
? Occupational Therapy
? Speech Therapy
? Massage Therapy
? Music Therapy
? Respiratory Therapy
The scope of occupational therapy jobs can be very broad as well. There are many different types of occupational therapists, all working to help their patients become functional in the daily aspects of life. Occupational therapists work with the disabled, the elderly, accident victims, individuals suffering from a variety of debilitating diseases and so on.
Here are just a couple of examples of the different types of occupational therapy jobs available. This is by no means a comprehensive list.
Special-needs Children
In schools and homes all across America, there is a growing need for occupational therapists to work with special-needs children. Sometimes these children have a physical disability; other times it's a learning disability. In other cases, both types of disabilities might be present. Either way, such children often have a difficult time being integrated into a regular classroom. Occupational therapy jobs exist to help these children overcome their challenges in order to be as functional as possible. Therapists working with special-needs children are employed in schools, hospitals, clinics and social service agencies.
The Elderly
Occupational therapy jobs that require working with the elderly are growing very quickly due to the aging population. These types of patients need something completely different because they usually have to learn new ways of doing things, as opposed to younger children learning tasks for the first time. An occupational therapist working in a nursing home, assisted living center, hospital or home health agency can go a long way in helping to relieve patients? pain and making their lives more productive and meaningful.
Accident Victims
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for accident victims to lose some functionality as a result of their injuries. Occupational therapists help such patients learn to adapt to their loss of function and find new ways of doing things. For example, someone involved in a car accident might lose his dominant arm as a result. He will struggle learning to do normal things with his non-dominant arm, but the occupational therapist can help by teaching him new ways of doing things with his remaining arm.
Occupational therapy jobs are as varied as the patients therapists see. It is an exciting career that offers long-term stability and excellent financial compensation. But of all the things occupational therapists like most about their jobs, at the top of the list is the ability to help those in need. They also welcome the opportunity to face, and overcome, brand-new challenges with every patient.