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Occupational Therapy Cheat Sheet

The core ideas of Occupational Therapy distilled into a single, scannable reference — perfect for review or quick lookup.

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Quick Reference

Occupation

In occupational therapy, 'occupation' refers to all the meaningful activities that fill a person's time, including activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, education, work, play, leisure, rest, sleep, and social participation. It is the core concept upon which the entire profession is built.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Basic self-care tasks that are fundamental to caring for one's own body, including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, eating, functional mobility, and personal hygiene. ADLs are a primary focus of occupational therapy intervention.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

More complex activities that support daily life within the home and community, including meal preparation, household management, financial management, medication management, community mobility, and care of others or pets.

Model of Human Occupation (MOHO)

A widely used occupational therapy conceptual practice model developed by Gary Kielhofner that explains how people are motivated toward occupation (volition), organize occupation into patterns (habituation), and perform occupation through skills and the influence of the environment.

Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) Model

A transactive model that describes the dynamic relationship between the person, their environment, and their occupations. Occupational performance is optimal when there is a strong fit among all three components. Therapy can target any or all components.

Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF)

The official document published by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) that describes the domain and process of occupational therapy. It outlines the areas of occupation, client factors, performance skills, performance patterns, and contexts that therapists consider during evaluation and intervention.

Activity Analysis

A systematic process used by occupational therapists to break down an activity into its component parts, including the physical, cognitive, sensory, and social demands required for performance. This analysis guides intervention planning and activity adaptation.

Adaptive Equipment / Assistive Technology

Devices, tools, or modifications designed to help individuals perform daily activities more independently when physical, cognitive, or sensory limitations are present. Recommending and training clients in adaptive equipment is a core OT skill.

Sensory Integration / Sensory Processing

A neurological process that organizes sensation from the body and the environment, making it possible to use the body effectively within the environment. Sensory integration therapy, developed by A. Jean Ayres, addresses difficulties in processing and responding to sensory input.

Client-Centered Practice

A collaborative approach in which the therapist respects and responds to the client's values, preferences, and expressed needs. The client actively participates in goal setting and treatment planning. It is a foundational philosophy of occupational therapy.

Key Terms at a Glance

Occupation:Any meaningful activity in which a person engages, including self-care, work, leisure, play, and social participation.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs):Basic self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, grooming, and functional mobility.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs):Complex daily tasks including meal preparation, medication management, financial management, and community mobility.
Occupational Profile:A summary of a client's occupational history, daily patterns, interests, values, and needs collected during evaluation.
Activity Analysis:The systematic process of breaking down an activity into its physical, cognitive, sensory, and social component demands.
Client-Centered Practice:An approach in which the therapist respects and responds to the client's values, priorities, and expressed needs throughout the therapeutic process.
Model of Human Occupation (MOHO):A conceptual practice model by Gary Kielhofner addressing volition, habituation, performance capacity, and environmental influence on occupation.
Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) Model:A model describing occupational performance as the intersection of the person, environment, and occupation.
Volition:In MOHO, the motivation for occupation, including personal causation, values, and interests.
Habituation:In MOHO, the organization of occupation into patterns through habits and internalized roles.
Sensory Integration:The neurological process of organizing sensory information from the body and environment for effective use; also a treatment approach developed by A. Jean Ayres.
Adaptive Equipment:Devices or tools designed to help individuals with functional limitations perform daily activities more independently.
Grading:Systematically adjusting the difficulty level of an activity to match or challenge a client's current abilities.
Splinting / Orthotics:Custom-fabricated devices that support, protect, or immobilize a body part to prevent deformity or improve function.
Occupational Justice:The principle that all people have the right to participate in meaningful occupations, and that barriers to participation represent injustice.

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Occupational Therapy Cheat Sheet - Quick Reference Guide | PiqCue