april 2023 issue 2

Great Moments in the History of Occupational Therapy

Did you know that Occupational Therapy has recently celebrated a birthday? In 2017 Occupational Therapy celebrated 100 years in the USA, helping people recover and grow into new, better lives through science and care! Read on to learn some of the great moments in the history of Occupational Therapy in America and beyond!

1917: The National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy is born!

On March 15, 1917 The NSPOT, or the National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy hosted its first meeting! The meeting took place in Clifton Springs, New York and some of its 26 members included famed disabled architect George Barton, psychiatrist and “father” of occupational therapy William Dunton and Eleanor Clarke Slagle, a pioneer in OT who is often referred to as the “Mother of Occupational Therapy.” The meeting contained 26 members, and was somewhat inspired by the need for Occupational Therapists or “reconstruction aides” for World War I veterans. The participants hoped that this meeting would be able to help introduce Occupational Therapy as a part of routine healthcare. NSPOT eventually went on to be called the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

1926: The Creation of the Pledge and Creed for Occupational Therapists

In 1926 the Pledge and Creed for Occupational Therapists was officially released. This document acted as an early draft of the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics that is used today, and features a pledge to “wholeheartedly service in aiding those crippled in mind and body.” Of course “crippled” is an outdated term, but the pledge to help those who need it through the art and science of Occupational Therapy still stands almost a hundred years later.

April 2023 issue 2

Great Moments in the History of Occupational Therapy

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1931-1938: American Colleges and Universities start to offer degrees in Occupational Therapy

Progress was slow but steady for the incorporation of Occupational Therapy programs in higher education. In 1931 Milwaukee-Downer College was one of the first to offer a bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy. In 1932 a National Registry of Occupational Therapists was published, and in 1938 five more universities in the US were accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the American Medical Association (AMA.) These programs include the Philadelphia School of Occupational Therapy, the Boston School of Occupational Therapy (now Tufts University), the St. Louis School of Occupational and Recreational Therapy (now Washington University School of Medicine) and more! The movement even spread to universities abroad with an Occupational Therapy program at the University of Toronto.

April 2023 issue 2

Great Moments in the History of Occupational Therapy

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1950: The first American Occupational Therapy Association award is given

In 1950 the AOTA unveiled their highest honor: The Occupational Award of Merit. According to the AOTA, this honor is awarded to occupational therapists who have contributed to the profession and demonstrated leadership in the role as an occupational therapist, as well as bringing positive awareness to the profession. The association created the award to encourage the growth and development of the profession not only in clinical practice, but in education, research and recruitment. In 1950 AOTA awarded the first Occupational Award of Merit to Eva Otto Munzeheimer, an occupational therapist and board member.

april 2023 issue 2

Great Moments in the History of Occupational Therapy

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1952: The World Federation of Occupational Therapy is founded

Look out world! While there were already Occupational Therapy organizations in the US and abroad, the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) was not founded until 1952. The progression of the organization actually started a year earlier, with a meeting of Occupational Therapists in Liverpool, England. This meeting in the summer 1951 featured 28 Occupational Therapist representatives from different countries, and the conversation was continued later that year at the Congress of the International Society of the Rehabilitation of the Disabled which was held in Stockholm, Sweden.

In 1952, WFOT was formed in Liverpool, England and boasted attendees from seven countries who already had established Occupational Therapy organizations, and three that were beginning to create these organizations. These countries included Australia, Canada, India, Israel, Denmark, South Africa, New Zealand, Sweden, USA, England and Scotland.

April 2023 issue 2

Great Moments in the History of Occupational Therapy

Continued…

1965: Occupational Therapy is officially acknowledged in Medicare and Medicaid

In a huge step for the legitimacy of Occupational Therapy, the Social Security Amendment Act of 1965 established Medicare and Medicaid. In this unrolling of care for older and disabled Americans, Occupational Therapy is specifically mentioned for extended care services and home healthcare services. Now older and disabled Americans can reap the benefits of Occupational Therapy without cost, allowing Occupational Therapists to help those who need their services the most.

1986: Occupational Therapy programs are expended in schools

Occupational Therapy for children is very important, especially early intervention care that can prevent children from falling behind their peers. In 1986 the Education for the Handicapped Amendments created two new programs that allowed children in school to benefit from Occupational Therapy, including pre-school special education services and early intervention programs for infants and toddlers.

April 2023 issue 2

Great Moments in the History of Occupational Therapy

Continued…

1990: The Individuals with Disabilities Act and Americans with Disabilities Act

In a huge step forward for disabled Americans, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was signed into law in 1990. This law contained many aspects intended to make accessing services easier for disabled Americans. Under this law Occupational Therapy is seen as a related service, with early intervention services for children considered a primary service. In addition, the American with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination based on disability, which creates job opportunities for Occupational Therapists in work accommodations and work accessibility. This is a step forward not just for disabled Americans, but also the professionals who support them.

2017: AOTA is 100 years old!

In 2017 the American Occupational Therapy Association celebrated 100 years of helping disabled Americans! From humble beginnings of only 40 members in 1917, the AOTA now boasts over 60,000 members. All working together to provide a better health quality of life, independence and happiness for disabled individuals through therapeutic care!

April 2023 issue 2

Great Moments in the History of Occupational Therapy

Continued…

Occupational Therapy:

Past and Future!

The history of Occupational Therapy is far from over. In 2016, an independent study showed that Occupational Therapy greatly reduces the likelihood of a patient’s readmission to the hospital. Preventative care for children has also been shown to drastically improve the child’s outcome. While Occupational Therapy has been in this country for over a century, it is only getting started in what it can do to help others achieve the best life possible, despite physical or mental limitations.

Works Cited

https://time.graphics/event/5531442

https://wfot.org/about/history#:~:text=The%20World%20Federation%20of%20Occupational,28%20representatives%20from%20various%20countries.

http://www.otcentennial.org/events/1960

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Great Moments in the History of Occupational Therapy

1917: The National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy is born!

1926: The Creation of the Pledge and Creed for Occupational Therapists

Great Moments in the History of Occupational Therapy

1931-1938: American Colleges and Universities start to offer degrees in Occupational Therapy

Great Moments in the History of Occupational Therapy

1950: The first American Occupational Therapy Association award is given

Great Moments in the History of Occupational Therapy

1952: The World Federation of Occupational Therapy is founded

Great Moments in the History of Occupational Therapy

1965: Occupational Therapy is officially acknowledged in Medicare and Medicaid

1986: Occupational Therapy programs are expended in schools

Great Moments in the History of Occupational Therapy

1990: The Individuals with Disabilities Act and Americans with Disabilities Act

2017: AOTA is 100 years old!

Great Moments in the History of Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy:

Past and Future!

Works Cited

Develop with us. Improve with us.

Develop with us.
Improve with us.