Occupational therapy is skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. Occupational Therapy gives people the Skills for the Job of Living they need to live satisfying lives. Services typically include:

• Customized treatment programs aimed at improving abilities to carry out activities of daily living.
• Comprehensive evaluation of home and job environments and recommendations on necessary adaptation.
• Assessments and treatment for performance skills.
• Recommendations and training in the use of adaptive equipment to replace lost function.
• Guidance to family members and attendants in safe and effective methods of caring for individuals.

Occupational therapy practitioners are skilled professionals whose education includes the study of human growth and development with specific emphasis on the social, emotional, and physiological effects of illness and injury. The occupational therapist enters the field with a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. The occupational therapy assistant generally earns an associate's degree. Practitioners must complete supervised clinical internships in a variety of health care settings, and pass a national examination. Most states also regulate occupational therapy practice. OT practitioners must also complete a supervised fieldwork program and pass a national certification exam. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, an Puerto Rico regulate the practice of occupational therapy. Many of these jurisdictions mandate periodic continuing education requirements.
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) has established standards for the profession that have been adopted by many states in their laws and regulations. AOTA also has accredited the nation's OT educational programs since 1935.

In addition to dealing with an individual's physical well-being, occupational therapy practitioners address psychological, social, and environmental factors that may impede independent functioning in all aspects of life. This unique perspective makes occupational therapy a critically important part of a health care program. Occupational therapy services significantly improve rehabilitation for many people with impairments due to:
Arthritis, cancer, or other debilitating illnesses Head or spinal cord injuries Orthopedic, work, or sports related injuries Amputation Burns Head trauma Stroke and other neurological conditions Mental illness Developmental disabilitie

The American Occupational Therapy Association's Code of Ethics is a public statement of the values and principles used in promoting and maintaining high standards of behavior in occupational therapy. The American Occupational Therapy Association and its members are committed to furthering people's ability to function within their total environment. To this end, occupational therapy personnel provide services for individuals in any stage of health and illness, to institutions, to other professionals and colleagues, to students, and to the general public.
The Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics, is a set of principles that applies to occupational therapy personnel at all levels. The roles of practitioner (registered occupational therapist and certified occupational therapy assistant), educator, fieldwork educator, supervisor, administrator, consultant, fieldwork coordinator, faculty program director, researcher/scholar, entrepreneur, student, support staff, and occupational therapy aide are assumed.
Any action that is in violation of the spirit and purpose of this Code shall be considered unethical. To ensure compliance with the Code, enforcement procedures are established and maintained by the Commission on Standards and Ethics. Acceptance of membership in the American Occupational Therapy Association commits members to adherence to the Code of Ethics and its enforcement procedures.
For a more thorough explanation of the Code of Ethics: www.aota.org

Preface
The Standards of Practice for Occupational Therapy are requirements for the occupational therapy practitioner (registered occupational therapist and certified occupational therapy assistant) for the delivery of occupational therapy services that are client centered and interactive in nature (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 1995). The registered occupational therapist supervises the certified occupational therapy assistant, and both work together in a collaborative manner to meet the needs of the client. However, the registered occupational therapist is ultimately responsible and accountable for the delivery of occupational therapy services. This document identifies minimum standards for occupational therapy practice.
The minimum educational requirements for the registered occupational therapist are described in the current Essentials and Guidelines of an Accredited Educational Program for the Occupational Therapist (AOTA, 1991a). The minimum educational requirements for the certified occupational therapy assistant are described in the current Essentials and Guidelines of an Accredited Educational Program for the Occupational Therapy Assistant (AOTA, 1991b).

Definitions
Assessment. Specific tools, instruments, or interactions used during the evaluation process. An assessment is a component part of the evaluation process (Hinojosa & Kramer, 1998).
Client. A person, group, program, organization, or community for whom the occupational therapy practitioner is providing services (AOTA, 1995).
Evaluation. The process of obtaining and interpreting data necessary for understanding the individual system, or situation. This includes planning for and documenting the evaluation process, results, and recommendations, including the need for intervention and/or potential change in the intervention plan (Hinojosa & Kramer, 1998).
Occupational therapy practitioner. Any individual initially certified to practice as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant or licensed or regulated by a state, district, commonwealth or territory of the United States to practice as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant (AOTA, 1997).
Performance areas. Broad categories of human activity that are typically part of daily life. They are activities of daily living, work and productive activities, and play or leisure activities (AOTA, 1994c).
Performance components. Elements of performance required for successful engagement in performance areas, including sensorimotor, cognitive, psycho social, and psychological aspects (AOTA, 1994c).
Performance contexts. Situations or factors that influence an individual's engagement in desired and/or required performance areas. Performance contexts consist of temporal aspects (chronological, developmental, life cycle, disability status) and environmental aspects (physical, social, political, cultural) (AOTA, 1994c).
Screening. Obtaining and reviewing data relevant to a potential client to determine the need for further evaluation and intervention.
Transition. Process involving actions coordinated to prepare for or facilitate change, such as from one functional level to another, from one life stage to another, from one program to another, or from one environment to another.