Occupational Therapy Essay

Occupational therapy enables individuals of all ages with an injury, disease, or disability to be able to perform meaningful everyday activities through therapeutic interventions. Historically, occupational therapy derived from social justice philosophies and was influenced by events at the Hull House. It was surprising to learn that occupational therapy is connected to the Hull House, Chicago’s first settlement house; so, a meaningful connection as a Chicagoan and a future occupational therapist. Although it did not seem apparent, there were traces of occupational therapy within the exhibit at the Hull House. Furthermore, the Hull House was a meeting place for contemporary social movements, such as the resistance against the tyranny of the

Jane Addams hoped to address workers’ alienation and immigrants’ assimilation problem through the use of arts and crafts. By using their hands to create, people realize that they have a purpose, which will reduce feelings of alienation and uselessness. So, craftworks that use the hands were opportunities for productive and meaningful experiences (Quiroga, 1995). This is similar to occupational therapy’s concept today, the use of meaningful activities to improve the health of individuals. In addition, the idea of meaningful and purposeful activities could be use with people with mental disabilities. Eleanor Clarke Slagle had an opportunity to observe a woman knitting a shirt out of her undershirt for her child; thus, leading to the realization that it is essential for residents in institutions to be engage in activities and the value of occupation (Preissner, 2017). People in institutions are often neglected and are sitting idle all day, so it is important for them to be engaged and involved in life to improve physical and mental health. Furthermore, occupational therapy works closely with mental health, so the engagement with meaningful activities is an important component in mental health as realized by