An Understanding of the History of Occupational Therapy

An understanding of the history of occupational therapy (OT) is needed for those seeking a future in this industry. Today's OT techniques have been developed since around 100 BCE, when Asclepiades, a Greek Doctor, used exercise and massage to attend to mentally ill patients. The process became largely used in Europe in the 18th century. Phillipe Pinel and Johan Christian Reil are considered the developers of occupational therapy. With the use of leisure and work, mentally ill patients were exposed to a different, yet effective manner.. This technique became widely used in the United States at a time when the mental health care system needed reform.

Understanding the Career of an an Occupational Therapist

Between 1910 and 1920 the thought of specializing in OT emerged. Early methods combined the value of working and having strong work ethic. It was highly judged as most doctors considered arts and crafts trivial. Although it took time for medical professionals to account the essence of these beliefs, the system was eventually well-received. In a span of 20 years, the public was convinced that health was more than just a physiological concept, and that social and economic issues also came into play.

The early history of OT in the United States is difficult to trace, as practitioners didn't always document their developments and analysis - most practitioners did not realize how important their research results were. Everything we know about the beginnings of OT in the country came from records of government agencies and old news clippings. During the wars that followed, keeping records and organizing data became more of a priority. "Reconstruction Aides" were recruited by the Surgeon General to provide both occupational and physical therapies.

The Importance of World War 1 to Occupational Therapy in America

Approximately 150,000 wounded men were treated by reconstruction aides when they returned home from overseas. It is not known how many were attended to overseas. Most early occupational therapists were female, hoping to contribute in whatever way they could. Although these females were given much fame, the discipline was not used as much afterwards. The sentiment regarding assisting soldiers in times of war turned into financial and professional gratification. The need for a governing body that could oversee the future of occupational therapy became prevalent, leading to the creation of the America Occupational Therapy Association or AOTA.

With the AOTA in place, the profession became known as a legitimate practice. Occupational Therapy gained further assistance when Adolf Meyer presented a research paper to the US Government calling for the safety and learning of the discipline. Further attention to the field came from William Rush Dunton, who is credited as creating some of the basic ideas of the practice.

The practice managed to develop through WWII and our understanding of the role of Occupational Therapy has continued to grow. Recent theories contributing to the advancement of the field include the person-environment-occupation model, proposed in 1996. Currently developments are taking place in the field in relation to occupational deprivation, focusing on therapy needed by refugees and the homeless.