Programs in occupational therapy assisting prepare people to help therapists and patients. Students learn the basics of occupational therapy. They learn how to help patients follow treatment plans. They also learn to instruct patients and keep records.

When we stumble out of bed each morning, some of us can brush our teeth, take a shower, and throw on some clothes without even being fully awake. It's easy to take this level of ease for granted. But some people struggle with such everyday things, things that many of us can do without thinking.

The everyday occupations of individuals vary. A student with a learning disability might struggle to read a few pages of text. An adult with a physical disability might have to mentally prepare himself to get from his bed to his wheelchair. Occupational therapy helps individuals regain, develop, or master the skills they need to function independently on a daily basis.

Occupational therapy assistants work closely with occupational therapists. They can work with a wide variety of people and in a wide variety of settings. For example, they might work with an elderly patient in a nursing home or a victim of a spinal injury in a rehabilitation hospital.

As a student of occupational therapy assisting, you study the basics of different areas of occupational therapy. This might include learning about mental disabilities in adults or how children grow and develop. You also learn through internships, where you can practice working together with a certified occupational therapist. You also study psychology to better understand how to work with patients who are discouraged and frustrated.

There are about 90 accredited occupational therapy assisting programs in the U.S. These programs offer certificates and associate degrees. They are typically found in community colleges and technical schools. Certificates generally take about one year of full-time study after high school. Associate degrees usually take between two to three years.