Occupational Therapists work with individuals of all ages from birth to old age and those with physical, psychosocial, developmental or emotional difficulties. Their main focus is on promoting health and wellbeing through participation in occupations and everyday life roles (such as being a parent, wage earner etc) Occupational Therapists can work with individuals or groups to help them develop or recover daily living and work skills through the use of purposeful occupations, the provision of specialist equipment or adapting home and work environments. Occupational therapists also provide expert input and support for wellness and prevention concerns.

Occupational therapists intervene with:

• The individual person - improving or maintaining their level of physical, cognitive (thinking), affective (emotional) and social ability.
• The environment - manipulating or adapting the physical, social, cultural and institutional environment.
• The task - analysing the task, comparing the demands of the task with the individual's abilities, and changing the task to make it possible for the person to do.

Occupational therapists are based in a variety of clinical and community settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation units, schools, community health centres and people's homes. Some examples of what occupational therapists do include:

• Enable people to dress themselves again after a stroke.
• Improve the play and movement skills of a baby or child with a disability
• Visit a disabled or elderly person to make their home easier and safer for them to use.
• Assess the driving ability of someone with a disability.
• Visit work places to assist people to modify their jobs and design work areas to better suit their needs.
• Help people select equipment and appliances, including wheelchairs, assistive technology and dressing aids, to increase their independence.
• Working with adults with learning difficulties to improve their skills for living in the community.
• Work with builders, architects and local authorities to design public places and homes that will suit people with various different abilities.
• Use activities, such as crafts, gardening or cooking to improve a person's hand function.
• Work with people with mental health difficulties to assist them in planning and organising a meaningful lifestyle.
• Show someone with memory difficulties how to use memory aids and cues.
• Work with the families of children who require occupational therapy