Exploring the Specialties in Occupational Therapy: A Guide for Aspiring OTs

Occupational therapy is a healthcare specialty focused primarily on improving the quality of life for patients. While physical therapists work closely with their patients in order to improve function and mobility, occupational therapists work primarily with patients who need assistance becoming independent and completing daily tasks.

Within the field of occupational therapy, a variety of specialties are available that allow occupational therapists to create a customized career path.

Introduction to Occupational Therapy

Designed to promote accessibility, well-being and active participation, occupational therapy is a healthcare field that strives to equip individuals with the tools and resources they need to live full and productive lives. Occupational therapists are often described as passionate and empathetic individuals who genuinely care about the needs of their patients and actively work to empower them to learn skills and techniques to complete their daily tasks.

What Is Occupational Therapy?

The American Occupational Therapy Association defines occupational therapy as a healthcare intervention that focuses on everyday activities. Occupational therapists are frequently responsible for helping patients identify the meaningful tasks they want to accomplish, plus providing them with targeted interventions that allow them to thrive.

The Importance of Specialization in OT

Occupational therapy has a broad scope, and occupational therapists will work with patients who have a wide range of goals. Some patients might be trying to learn the techniques necessary to participate fully in school, while others may strive to be able to care for their families once again. By pursuing a specialty area, occupational therapists are able to better meet the diverse needs of a specific patient population (and improve their overall career prospects).

Specialties in Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists have the opportunity to align their personal interests in the field with a specialty area — giving them the ability to embark on a rewarding and fulfilling career path. The specialties in occupational therapy often require occupational therapists to pursue advanced degree programs or certifications in order to develop the niche skills needed for those areas of practice.

Pediatric Occupational Therapy

According to the Cleveland Clinic, pediatric occupational therapy is a specialized practice area that involves helping children reach developmental milestones. Additionally, pediatric occupational therapists may help young patients better manage sensory challenges and improve self-regulation. They typically work with children who have been diagnosed with autism or ADHD as well as those who have physical needs.

Geriatric Occupational Therapy

Geriatric occupational therapy is a specialized service geared toward elderly patients, particularly those who have been diagnosed with age-related conditions such as arthritis and dementia. Geriatric occupational therapists work closely with elderly patients to help them maintain their independence and remain in their home environment. They may focus on tasks like bathing, getting dressed, cooking or cleaning.

Mental Health Occupational Therapy

Mental health occupational therapy is a specialty area that involves supporting individuals who have been diagnosed with mental health disorders — such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, mental health occupational therapists often collaborate with mental healthcare providers to perform behavioral health assessments and develop a personalized plan to help patients feel more comfortable completing their daily tasks. Some therapeutic services that mental health occupational therapists may offer include creating a daily schedule, managing the symptoms of a mental health disorder, navigating community services or behaving appropriately in professional or social situations.

Neurological Rehabilitation

An occupational therapist in the realm of neurological rehabilitation will primarily work with patients who are recovering from strokes, brain injuries or other neurological conditions. According to the OT Practice, neurological rehabilitation occupational therapists provide patients with targeted interventions designed to improve cognitive function and allow them to re-adapt to their home environments.

Hand Therapy

According to the American Society of Hand Therapists, hand therapy is a specialized practice within the field of occupational therapy that entails providing rehabilitative services to the upper limb (which includes the hand, wrist and elbow). Hand therapists often deal with patients who have experienced a hand injury or recently had hand surgery, working to improve their fine motor skills and strength.

School-Based Occupational Therapy

School-based occupational therapy is a specialty area that provides targeted interventions to students in the school setting. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, school-based occupational therapists may collaborate with educators in order to identify the needs of students who struggle in the classroom environment. They work to provide students with the classroom tools they need for success and partner with educators to adapt their environments according to their needs.

Assistive Technology and Adaptive Equipment

Assistive technology and adaptive equipment is another realm of occupational therapy that occupational therapists can consider. Within this specialty, occupational therapists work to train patients in the use of assistive devices, thus enabling them to gain independence and accomplish daily tasks.

Choosing the Right Specialty for You

As you ponder and plot your career trajectory, think about which specialty area may be best for you. As an occupational therapist, you can begin to select a specialty area by:

Assessing Your Interests and Strengths

The best way to begin the process of choosing a specialty area in occupational therapy is to perform a self-assessment. Ask yourself the following types of questions:

• Is there a specific patient population that I enjoy working with?
• Do I have any personal connections to particular medical conditions?
• Is there an area of occupational therapy or specific intervention that I am particularly passionate about?

Considering Education and Certification Requirements

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), all occupational therapists need to complete a Master of Occupational Therapy program that has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. In addition, some specialty areas require occupational therapists to pursue certification programs. For example, those interested in hand therapy would need to earn their Certified Hand Therapist certificate.

Gaining Experience in the Field

One of the best ways to identify your strengths and interests as an occupational therapist is to gain hands-on experience in the field. Through internships, clinical rotations and networking with professionals in your area of interest, you can become more aware of available opportunities and which specialties in occupational therapy are ideal for you.

Career Opportunities in Occupational Therapy Specialties

When considering specialty areas, you should also explore the various career opportunities that are available in occupational therapy. The specialty area you pursue will dictate your work environment, the patient population you serve and the types of interventions you provide.

Work Environments

Occupational therapists can work in a vast range of settings. Some common work environments for occupational therapists include:

• Hospitals, where occupational therapists work with patients who are hoping to gain independence before being discharged.
• Rehabilitation centers, where occupational therapists work to improve independent living skills.
• Nursing homes, where occupational therapists assist patients with age-related conditions.
• Schools, where occupational therapists strive to improve learning conditions for students with additional needs.
• Private practices, where occupational therapists may work with patients in the clinical or home environment to deliver personalized care.

Salary and Job Growth

Your salary as an occupational therapist may vary based on your specialty area, with some specialties offering a higher earning potential than others. According to the BLS, occupational therapists earn a median annual salary of more than $96,000 — and the field is expected to grow by about 11% between 2023 and 2033, which is considerably faster than average compared to other occupations.

Explore the Specialties in Occupational Therapy at Nebraska Methodist College

At Nebraska Methodist College (NMC), we offer a Master of Occupational Therapy that equips students with the advanced skills required to provide patient-centered occupational therapy services. Featuring a hybrid model of online and on-campus learning, this master’s degree program gives students the opportunity students to explore specialties in occupational therapy and align their career goals with their personal interests and passions in the field. Request more information about our graduate-level programs today.