Occupational Therapy Month, observed in April, is a time to increase awareness of occupational therapy, promote the need for intervention after an injury or illness, and spur advocacy on behalf of those suffering with the emotional, financial and physical burden of illness and injury.

Occupational Therapy Month calls attention to the way occupational therapy helps people across their lifespan do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations). Occupational therapy focuses on helping people participate in the meaningful activities they need and want to do after an illness, disability, or other health condition. It uses a holistic approach to look not only at the reasons a person’s participation in activities has been impacted, but also at the person’s environment and what they do day-to-day.

Occupational therapy practitioners enable people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health and prevent, or live better with, injury, illness, or disability.