Vocabulary Words Every Occupational Therapist Should Know

Therapy

Definition: treatment to help someone improve

• He went to therapy for his anxiety.
• Art therapy can help express feelings.
• She believes in the benefits of therapy.

Therapy in a sentence

Patient

Definition: Able to wait without getting angry.

• She is very patient with her students.
• It's important to be patient when learning.
• He waited patiently for his turn.

Patient in a sentence

Help

Definition: To assist someone with something.

• Can you help me with my homework?
• She helped her mother in the kitchen.
• He always helps his friends.

Help in a sentence

Care

Definition: To look after someone or something; to be concerned about.

• I care about my family and friends.
• Please take care of your pets.
• The doctor will care for the patients.

Care in a sentence

Hand

Definition: The end part of a person's arm, used for holding and touching.

• She raised her hand to answer the question.
• He shook my hand when we met.
• I hurt my hand while playing sports.

Hand in a sentence

Talk

Definition: To speak with someone.

• I love to talk with my friends.
• Can we talk about the project later?
• She talks to her parents every day.

Talk in a sentence

Play

Definition: to engage in activities for enjoyment; also refers to a dramatic performance

• The children love to play outside after school.
• She will play the lead role in the school play.
• He likes to play video games with his friends.

Play in a sentence

Move

Definition: To change position or place.

• Please move your chair closer.
• The train will move soon.
• She moved to a new city.

Move in a sentence

Work

Definition: activity involving mental or physical effort

• He has a lot of work to do this week.
• She enjoys her work as a teacher.
• They finished their work ahead of schedule.

Work in a sentence

Learn

Definition: To gain knowledge or skills through study or experience.

• I want to learn how to play the guitar.
• We learn new words every week in class.
• She loves to learn about different cultures.

Learn in a sentence

Goal

Definition: An aim or desired result that one works towards.

• My goal is to finish reading this book by next week.
• Setting a goal helps me stay focused.
• He scored a goal in the soccer game.

Goal in a sentence

Skill

Definition: The ability to do something well.

• He has a skill for painting.
• Her cooking skill has improved.
• They are learning new skills in their classes.

Skill in a sentence

Support

Definition: To help or provide assistance to someone or something.

• Friends should support each other.
• The community came together to support the event.
• We need to support local businesses.

Support in a sentence

Body

Definition: The physical structure of a person or animal.

• My body needs rest after a long day.
• We must take care of our body through exercise.
• The human body is made up of many systems.

Body in a sentence

Activity

Definition: Something that is done for enjoyment or a purpose.

• The activity at the park was fun.
• We planned an activity for the class.
• Physical activity is important for health.

Activity in a sentence

Health

Definition: The state of being free from illness or injury.

• Eating fruits and vegetables is good for your health.
• Regular exercise helps improve your health.
• We should take care of our mental health as well.

Health in a sentence

Feel

Definition: To sense or experience something.

• I feel happy today.
• She felt cold in the winter.
• He feels tired after running.

Feel in a sentence

Safe

Definition: Free from harm or danger.

• It is important to keep our home safe.
• Always wear a helmet to stay safe while biking.
• This is a safe place for kids to play.

Safe in a sentence

Teach

Definition: To help someone learn a subject.

• I love to teach children.
• He will teach math to high school students.
• They teach English to non-native speakers.

Teach in a sentence

Plan

Definition: A detailed proposal for doing or achieving something; a strategy or outline.

• They made a plan for their vacation next summer.
• Having a plan helps organize thoughts and actions.
• She wrote a plan for her science project.

Plan in a sentence

Skills

Definition: The abilities or expertise needed to perform tasks.

• He has many skills, including cooking and painting.
• We learn new skills in school every day.
• Her skills in math helped her win the competition.

Improve

Definition: To make something better or enhance it.

• He wants to improve his math skills.
• She practices daily to improve her singing.
• Reading can help improve your vocabulary.

Improve in a sentence

Movement

Definition: A change in position or a group working towards a common goal.

• The movement for climate change is growing.
• He felt a sudden movement in the water.
• They joined the movement to support equality.

Movement in a sentence

Tools

Definition: Instruments used to carry out a particular function or task.

• He has many tools in his garage for fixing things.
• We need the right tools to complete the project.
• Tools make work easier and more efficient.

Group

Definition: A number of people or things that are located, gathered, or classed together.

• We worked in a group for the science project.
• A group of students went on a field trip.
• The group will meet every Wednesday to discuss their plans.

Group in a sentence

Rehabilitation

Definition: The process of restoring someone to health or normal life after illness or injury; improving skills.

• He went through rehabilitation after his injury.
• The center offers rehabilitation services for addiction.
• She is undergoing rehabilitation for her knee.

Rehabilitation in a sentence

Assessment

Definition: An evaluation or test to measure knowledge or skills.

• The teacher gave an assessment to check our progress.
• We will have a math assessment next week.
• Assessments help identify areas to improve.

Assessment in a sentence

Intervention

Definition: The act of intervening to prevent or alter a situation; often to improve conditions.

• The teacher's intervention helped the struggling student.
• They discussed intervention strategies in health class.
• The intervention was successful in improving outcomes.

Intervention in a sentence

Activities

Definition: Tasks or actions that people do for enjoyment or education.

• The camp offers many fun activities for kids.
• She planned various activities for the birthday party.
• Understanding activities helps in organizing events.

Goals

Definition: Desired outcomes or achievements.

• Setting goals helps you stay focused.
• She has academic goals for this school year.
• His goals include learning a new language.

Progress

Definition: Forward movement towards a goal; improvement over time.

• She made great progress in her studies this year.
• The team is working to track their progress.
• Progress is essential for personal growth.

Progress in a sentence

Treatment

Definition: The way of dealing with a patient or condition; care given to someone.

• He received treatment for his illness.
• The treatment helped her recover quickly.
• They discussed treatment options with the doctor.

Treatment in a sentence

Independence

Definition: The state of being free from outside control; self-sufficiency.

• They celebrated their independence on July 4th.
• Independence is important for personal growth.
• He values his independence as an adult.

Independence in a sentence

Occupational

Definition: related to a job or profession

• She is taking an occupational therapy course.
• His occupational skills help him in his engineering job.
• Understanding occupational hazards is important for safety.

Occupational in a sentence

Environment

Definition: The natural world around us.

• We should protect our environment.
• The environment is important for all living things.
• Pollution harms the environment.

Environment in a sentence

Adaptation

Definition: A change or adjustment made to fit new conditions or environments.

• Adaptation is necessary for survival in nature.
• They studied the adaptation of animals to their habitats.
• Her adaptation to the new school was quick and smooth.

Adaptation in a sentence

Function

Definition: The purpose or role that something serves.

• The function of a light bulb is to provide light.
• What is the function of this button?
• The main function of the app is to help with studying.

Function in a sentence

Disability

Definition: A physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities.

• She has a disability that affects her mobility.
• Understanding disability helps promote inclusivity.
• He advocates for people with disabilities in his community.

Disability in a sentence

Challenge

Definition: A difficult task or situation that requires effort to overcome.

• I accepted the challenge to run a marathon.
• The puzzle was a fun challenge to solve.
• She faced the challenge of learning a new language.

Challenge in a sentence

Strategies

Definition: Plans or methods for achieving a specific goal.

• The team developed strategies to improve performance.
• She used effective strategies to study for the exam.
• Different strategies can lead to success in business.

Collaboration

Definition: working together to achieve a goal

• The collaboration between students was great.
• They focused on collaboration for the project.
• Her collaboration with the artist produced amazing results.

Collaboration in a sentence

Resources

Definition: Materials or supplies that can be used.

• The library has many resources for students.
• We need to manage our resources wisely.
• Natural resources are important for our survival.

Education

Definition: The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction.

• Education is important for personal growth.
• She values her education and studies hard.
• They support education for all children.

Education in a sentence

Motivation

Definition: the reason to act or achieve something

• His motivation to study came from his goals.
• She found motivation in her favorite books.
• Positive feedback can increase motivation.

Motivation in a sentence

Feedback

Definition: Information or comments about someone's performance or work.

• The teacher gave feedback on my essay.
• He appreciated the feedback from his peers.
• Constructive feedback helps improve skills.

Feedback in a sentence

Techniques

Definition: Methods or ways of doing something, often skillfully.

• He learned new techniques for painting.
• The teacher taught us different reading techniques.
• Using proper techniques can improve your performance.

Improvement

Definition: The process of making something better or enhancing its quality.

• He focused on improvement in his grades this year.
• She saw a significant improvement in her skills.
• Understanding improvement helps in personal growth.

Improvement in a sentence

Wellness

Definition: The state of being in good health; overall well-being.

• She practices yoga for her wellness.
• Wellness is important for a happy life.
• They promote wellness through healthy eating.

Wellness in a sentence

Engagement

Definition: An agreement to get married; involvement in an activity.

• Their engagement was announced last week.
• She has a strong engagement in her studies.
• The engagement party was a lot of fun.

Engagement in a sentence

Community

Definition: A group of people living in the same area or sharing common interests.

• Our community organizes events for everyone to enjoy.
• It's important to help your community by volunteering.
• The community came together to clean the park.

Community in a sentence

Adjustment

Definition: A change made to improve or adapt to a situation.

• She made an adjustment to her schedule to fit in more study time.
• He needed an adjustment to his glasses for better vision.
• Understanding adjustment helps in adapting to new environments.

Adjustment in a sentence

Mobility

Definition: The ability to move freely and easily.

• Mobility is important for physical health.
• He exercises to improve his mobility.
• Understanding mobility helps in rehabilitation.

Mobility in a sentence

Client

Definition: A person or organization that receives services from a professional.

• The lawyer met with a client to discuss the case.
• She is a client at the local hair salon.
• The company values every client highly.

Client in a sentence

Strategy

Definition: A plan of action designed to achieve a goal.

• We need a strategy to complete the project on time.
• The team developed a new strategy for winning.
• Her strategy for studying includes flashcards.

Strategy in a sentence

Performance

Definition: The act of doing something, especially in front of an audience; how well someone does a task.

• The performance of the students was impressive.
• He practiced daily for his music performance.
• Her performance in the play earned her applause.

Performance in a sentence

Communication

Definition: The process of sharing information between people.

• Good communication is key to teamwork.
• We use different methods of communication, like texting.
• Effective communication helps prevent misunderstandings.

Communication in a sentence

Occupation

Definition: A person's job or profession.

• Teaching is a rewarding occupation for many.
• She chose nursing as her occupation.
• Understanding different occupations can guide career choices.

Occupation in a sentence

Technique

Definition: A way of doing something, especially in a skillful manner.

• He learned a new technique for playing the guitar.
• The artist used a unique technique for her painting.
• We practiced the technique repeatedly to improve.

Technique in a sentence

Evaluation

Definition: The process of assessing or judging something.

• The teacher will conduct an evaluation of the project.
• She received an evaluation on her performance.
• An evaluation helps improve future work.

Evaluation in a sentence

Barriers

Definition: Obstacles that prevent movement or progress.

• There are many barriers to education in some areas.
• They worked to remove barriers for low-income families.
• Understanding barriers can help find solutions.

Assistive

Definition: Designed to help people with disabilities perform tasks.

• Assistive technology can greatly improve quality of life.
• The school provides assistive tools for students.
• She uses assistive devices to help with her studies.

Assistive in a sentence

Planning

Definition: The process of making decisions about future activities or projects; organizing.

• Effective planning helps ensure success in projects.
• She enjoys planning events for her friends.
• They spent time planning their vacation itinerary.

Planning in a sentence

Recovery

Definition: the process of getting better after an illness or difficult situation

• Her recovery from the flu was quick.
• He is in recovery after the surgery.
• The doctor said that full recovery will take a few weeks.

Recovery in a sentence

Facilitation

Definition: The act of making a process easier.

• Facilitation helps groups reach decisions.
• She took a course in meeting facilitation.
• Good facilitation leads to productive discussions.

Facilitation in a sentence

Proprioception

Definition: The awareness of body position and movement.

• Proprioception helps athletes improve their performance.
• She practices exercises to enhance her proprioception.
• Proprioception is important for balancing activities.

Proprioception in a sentence

Sensory

Definition: related to the senses

• Sensory activities are important for young children.
• The sensory details in the story brought it to life.
• He enjoys sensory experiences like tasting new foods.

Sensory in a sentence

Integration

Definition: The process of combining or bringing together parts into a whole.

• The integration of technology in classrooms enhances learning.
• They worked on the integration of different cultures.
• Integration is important for a harmonious society.

Integration in a sentence

Client-centered

Definition: A focus on the needs and preferences of the client.

• The program is client-centered to ensure satisfaction.
• They adopted a client-centered approach in their services.
• Client-centered care is essential in healthcare.

Therapeutic

Definition: Relating to the healing of disease or the treatment of illness.

• Therapeutic practices can improve mental health.
• She found therapeutic benefits in yoga.
• Therapeutic methods vary for different conditions.

Therapeutic in a sentence

Modalities

Definition: Different methods or ways of doing something.

• They explored various modalities of treatment for the illness.
• Different teaching modalities can enhance learning.
• Understanding modalities is important in therapy.

Functional

Definition: Designed to be practical and useful rather than just attractive; working properly.

• The functional design of the app makes it easy to use.
• She prefers functional clothing for outdoor activities.
• Understanding functional items can improve efficiency.

Functional in a sentence

Technology

Definition: The use of scientific knowledge for practical purposes; tools and machines.

• Technology changes quickly in our world.
• She studies technology in school.
• They use technology to solve problems.

Technology in a sentence

Interventions

Definition: Actions taken to improve a situation or to help someone; plural of intervention.

• The school provided interventions for students who needed help.
• They discussed various interventions to support mental health.
• Effective interventions can lead to positive changes.

Analysis

Definition: The detailed examination of something to understand it better.

• He did an analysis of the data for his project.
• Her analysis showed interesting results.
• They worked together on the analysis of the report.

Analysis in a sentence

Empowerment

Definition: The process of gaining freedom and power to make choices; enhancing confidence.

• Empowerment helps individuals take control of their lives.
• The program focuses on the empowerment of women.
• Understanding empowerment can lead to social change.

Empowerment in a sentence

Enhancement

Definition: An improvement or addition that increases value or quality.

• The enhancement of the software made it more user-friendly.
• They discussed enhancements to the program for better performance.
• Understanding enhancement processes is crucial in development.

Enhancement in a sentence

Modality

Definition: A particular mode or method of doing something.

• The modality of instruction can vary by subject.
• In therapy, different modalities address various needs.
• Understanding modality helps in effective communication.

Modality in a sentence

Cognitive

Definition: Related to mental processes like thinking, learning, and memory.

• Cognitive development is important in early childhood.
• She studied cognitive psychology at university.
• Reading enhances cognitive skills in children.

Cognitive in a sentence

Motor

Definition: a machine that produces motion or mechanical energy

• The motor powers the car's wheels.
• He fixed the motor in the toy car.
• An electric motor converts electricity into movement.

Motor in a sentence

Functionality

Definition: The range of functions or capabilities of a device or application.

• The new phone has improved functionality compared to the old model.
• Her app's functionality makes it easy to use.
• Understanding functionality is important for users.

Functionality in a sentence

Interventionist

Definition: A person who supports or advocates for intervention, especially in politics or health.

• The interventionist approach focused on helping communities.
• She is an interventionist in public health programs.
• The interventionist policies were debated in the meeting.

Interventionist in a sentence

Prognosis

Definition: A forecast of the likely outcome of a situation.

• The doctor gave a positive prognosis for recovery.
• Her prognosis after the treatment was encouraging.
• He remained hopeful despite the difficult prognosis.

Prognosis in a sentence

Evidence-based

Definition: Using data and evidence to guide decisions, particularly in healthcare or policy.

• Evidence-based practices are essential in medicine.
• She prefers evidence-based approaches in her work.
• Understanding evidence-based methods improves effectiveness.

Multidisciplinary

Definition: involving multiple academic disciplines

• The project required a multidisciplinary approach.
• They formed a multidisciplinary team for the research.
• Understanding multidisciplinary methods can enhance learning.

Multidisciplinary in a sentence

Accessibility

Definition: The quality of being easy to reach or use.

• The website improved its accessibility for all users.
• Accessibility is crucial for people with disabilities.
• They focused on accessibility in their new building design.

Accessibility in a sentence

Occupational Performance

Definition: How well a person can perform tasks related to their job or daily life.

• Occupational performance is essential for workplace success.
• He focuses on improving occupational performance in his coaching.
• Understanding occupational performance can enhance job satisfaction.

Therapeutic Alliance

Definition: The relationship between a therapist and a client that promotes healing.

• A strong therapeutic alliance is crucial for effective therapy.
• He built a therapeutic alliance with his counselor.
• Therapists focus on creating a therapeutic alliance.

Compensatory

Definition: Intended to make up for a loss or injury; serving as compensation.

• He received compensatory damages for the accident.
• The company offered a compensatory package for layoffs.
• Compensatory measures are important in legal cases.

Compensatory in a sentence

Assistive Technology

Definition: Technology that aids individuals with disabilities in tasks.

• Assistive technology includes software and devices.
• She learned how assistive technology can support learning.
• He uses assistive technology for better communication.

Holistic

Definition: An approach that considers the whole system rather than just individual parts.

• Holistic health focuses on physical and mental well-being.
• She practices holistic medicine to treat patients.
• Understanding holistic approaches can improve overall health.

Holistic in a sentence

Contextualization

Definition: The process of placing something within its context for better understanding.

• Contextualization helps clarify the meaning of events.
• He used contextualization to explain the historical background.
• Learning contextualization enhances comprehension of texts.

Transition

Definition: The process of changing from one state to another.

• The transition from school to work can be challenging.
• They are going through a transition period.
• She helped him with the transition to high school.

Transition in a sentence

Stratification

Definition: the arrangement of something into different layers or levels

• Stratification in society can affect opportunities.
• Geologists study stratification in rock formations.
• The stratification of students helps tailor lessons.

Stratification in a sentence

Resilience

Definition: The ability to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

• Her resilience helped her overcome challenges.
• He admired her resilience during tough times.
• They teach kids about resilience in school.

Resilience in a sentence

Advocacy

Definition: The act of supporting a cause or proposal.

• She is known for her advocacy for children's rights.
• Advocacy can lead to important changes in society.
• His advocacy work focused on environmental issues.

Advocacy in a sentence

Facilitative

Definition: Serving to make a process easier or more effective.

• The facilitative approach helped the team collaborate.
• She used a facilitative method to guide the discussion.
• Understanding facilitative techniques can lead to better results.

Facilitative in a sentence

Occupational Identity

Definition: the sense of self based on one's profession

• Her occupational identity is tied to her role as a teacher.
• He developed an occupational identity through his years of work.
• Occupational identity can influence how people view themselves.

Task Analysis

Definition: The process of breaking down a task into smaller, manageable parts.

• Task analysis is important for understanding complex tasks.
• He performed a task analysis for the new project.
• They discussed task analysis in their training session.

Task Analysis in a sentence

Delineation

Definition: The action of describing or outlining something in detail.

• The delineation of the plan was thorough and detailed.
• They provided a clear delineation of responsibilities.
• Delineation helps avoid confusion in projects.

Delineation in a sentence

Optimization

Definition: The process of making something as effective or functional as possible.

• They focus on optimization to improve performance.
• Website optimization helps increase traffic.
• He learned about optimization techniques in class.

Optimization in a sentence

Participation

Definition: The act of taking part in something; involvement.

• Participation in class discussions helps students learn.
• Her participation in the project was valuable.
• They encouraged participation from all team members.

Participation in a sentence

Contextual Factors

Definition: Elements in a situation that affect understanding or behavior.

• Contextual factors can influence decision-making.
• He analyzed the contextual factors during the study.
• Understanding contextual factors is key to research.

Therapeutic Environment

Definition: A setting that promotes healing and well-being.

• The hospital created a therapeutic environment for patients.
• She found the therapeutic environment calming and supportive.
• Therapeutic environments often include nature and art.

Skill Acquisition

Definition: The process of learning and developing new abilities.

• Skill acquisition takes practice and dedication.
• She focused on skill acquisition in her music lessons.
• Understanding skill acquisition is essential for personal growth.

Neuroplasticity

Definition: The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections.

• Neuroplasticity allows recovery from brain injuries.
• They studied neuroplasticity to understand learning.
• Understanding neuroplasticity is important for rehabilitation.

Biopsychosocial

Definition: An approach that considers biological, psychological, and social factors in health.

• The biopsychosocial model helps in understanding patient care.
• She studied the biopsychosocial aspects of mental health.
• Understanding biopsychosocial factors can enhance treatment plans.

Outcome Measures

Definition: Plural of outcome measure; methods for assessing results.

• The researchers identified key outcome measures for the trial.
• Different outcome measures can show various results.
• They discussed outcome measures in their presentation.

Home Modifications

Definition: Changes made to a home to improve accessibility or comfort.

• They made home modifications for elderly family members.
• Home modifications can enhance safety and usability.
• The company specializes in home modifications for disabilities.

Therapeutic Exercises

Definition: Activities designed to improve physical or mental health through rehabilitation.

• Therapeutic exercises can aid recovery from injuries.
• She practiced therapeutic exercises to enhance her flexibility.
• Understanding therapeutic exercises is important for health and wellness.

Occupational Science

Definition: the study of human participation in daily life activities

• Occupational science explores how work affects well-being.
• She is pursuing a degree in occupational science.
• Understanding occupational science helps improve therapy practices.

Client Advocacy

Definition: Supporting and promoting the interests of clients or customers.

• Client advocacy ensures that their needs are met effectively.
• She worked in client advocacy to help people access services.
• Understanding client advocacy improves service delivery.

Performance Measures.

Definition: Criteria used to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of actions.

• The performance measures helped identify areas for improvement.
• They discussed the performance measures during the review.
• Understanding performance measures aids in goal setting.