The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is the national
professional association
A professional association (also called a professional body, professional organization, or professional society) is a group that usually seeks to advocacy, further a particular profession, the interests of individuals and organisations engaged in ...
established in 1917 to represent the interests and concerns of
occupational therapy
Occupational therapy (OT), also known as ergotherapy, is a healthcare profession. Ergotherapy is derived from the Greek wiktionary:ergon, ergon which is allied to work, to act and to be active. Occupational therapy is based on the assumption t ...
practitioners and students and improve the quality of occupational therapy services. AOTA membership is approximately 63,000
occupational therapist
Occupational therapists (OTs) are health care professionals specializing in occupational therapy and occupational science. OTs and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) use evidence-based practice, scientific bases and a Holism, holistic perspec ...
s, occupational therapy assistants, and students.
The National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy was the founding name of the AOTA. Occupational therapy was launched as a new profession at the first meeting of the National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy at Consolation House,
Clifton Springs, New York in March 1917. The Society was founded by a small group of people from diverse backgrounds. There was George Edward Barton (1871–1923) an architect,
William Rush Dunton William Rush Dunton Jr (24 July 1868 - 23 December 1966) was a founder and early president of the American Occupational Therapy Association. He is also recognized for his collection of, and scholarship about, American quilts.
Early life
William Ru ...
(1865–1966) a psychiatrist,
Eleanor Clarke Slagle (1870–1942) a social worker and occupational therapist,
Thomas B Kidner (1866–1932) a vocational educator, Susan Cox Johnson (1875–1932) an arts and crafts teacher,
Susan E. Tracy (1864–1928) a nurse, Herbert James Hall (1870–1923) a physician and Isabel Gladwin Newton Barton (1891–1975) the secretary and author. Their wide ranging interests, including moral treatment, pragmatism, habit training, mental hygiene movement, curative occupations and the arts and craft movement, laid the foundations for occupational therapy. The founders' vision was the 'advancement of occupation as a therapeutic measure; for the study of the effect of occupation upon the human being; and for the scientific dispensation of this knowledge'.
AOTA designated April as Occupational Therapy Month.
See also
* ''
American Journal of Occupational Therapy'' published by AOTA since 1947
*
Anna Jean Ayres
Anna Jean Ayres (July 18, 1920 – December 16, 1988) was an American occupational therapist, educational psychologist and advocate for individuals with special needs. She became known for her work on sensory integration (SI) theory.
Education
B ...
(1920–1989), a developmental psychologist known for her work in the area of
sensory processing disorder
Sensory processing disorder (SPD), formerly known as sensory integration dysfunction, is a condition in which multisensory input is not adequately processed in order to provide appropriate responses to the demands of the environment. Sensory ...
*
American Occupational Therapy Foundation, a charitable, scientific and educational non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of occupational therapy and increased public understanding
References
External links
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{{Authority control
Health care-related professional associations based in the United States
Occupational therapy organizations
Organizations established in 1917
Healthcare accreditation organizations in the United States
501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations