How is occupational therapy defined in Mississippi?

Occupational therapy means the therapeutic use of purposeful and meaningful (goal-directed) activities and/or exercises to evaluate and treat an individual who has, or is at risk for, a disease or disorder, impairment, activity limitation or participation restriction which interferes with his ability to function independently in daily life roles and to promote health and wellness across his lifespan.

What is included in the practice of occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy intervention includes:

• Remediation or restoration of performance abilities that are limited due to impairment in biological, physiological, psychological or neurological processes;
• Adaptation of task, process or the environment, or the teaching of compensatory techniques in order to enhance functional performance;
• Disability prevention methods and techniques which facilitate the development or safe application of functional performance skills; or
• Health promotion strategies and practices which enhance functional performance abilities.

Occupational therapy service includes, but is not limited to:

• Evaluating, developing, improving, sustaining or restoring skill in activities of daily living (ADLS), work or productive activities, including instrumental activities of daily living (IADLS), play and leisure activities;
• Evaluating, developing, remediating or restoring physical, sensorimotor, cognitive or psycho social components of performance;
• Designing, fabricating, applying or training in the use of assistive technology or orthotic devices, and training in the use of prosthetic devices;
• Adaptation of environments and processes, including the application of ergonomic principles, to enhance functional performance and safety in daily life roles;
• Application of physical agent modalities as an adjunct to or in preparation for engagement in an occupation or functional activity;
• Evaluating and providing intervention in collaboration with the client, family, caregiver or other person responsible for the client;
• Educating the client, family, caregiver or others in carrying out appropriate nonskilled interventions;
• Consulting with groups, programs, organizations or communities to provide population-based services; or
• Participation in administration, education, and research, including both clinical and academic environments.

What is specifically excluded from the practice?

N/A

Are there any special trainings or requirements?

Mississippi OT Dry Needling

Reference

Miss. Code R. § 8.1.3