How is occupational therapy defined in Missouri?

"Occupational therapy" means the use of purposeful activity or interventions designed to achieve functional outcomes which promote health, prevent injury or disability and which develop, improve, sustain or restore the highest possible level of independence of any individual who has an injury, illness, cognitive impairment, psychosocial dysfunction, mental illness, developmental or learning disability, physical disability or other disorder or condition.  It shall include assessment by means of skill observation or evaluation through the administration and interpretation of standardized or non-standardized tests and measurements. 

What is included in the practice of occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy services include, but are not limited to:

• The assessment and provision of treatment in consultation with the individual, family or other appropriate persons;
• Interventions directed toward developing, improving, sustaining or restoring daily living skills, including self-care skills and activities that involve interactions with others and the environment, work readiness or work performance, play skills or leisure capacities or enhancing educational performances skills;
• Developing, improving, sustaining or restoring sensorimotor, oral-motor, perceptual or neuromuscular functioning; or emotional, motivational, cognitive or psychosocial components of performance; and
• Education of the individual, family or other appropriate persons in carrying out appropriate interventions.  

Such services may encompass assessment of need and the design, development, adaptation, application or training in the use of assistive technology devices; the design, fabrication or application of rehabilitative technology such as selected orthotic devices, training in the use of orthotic or prosthetic devices; the application of ergonomic principles; the adaptation of environments and processes to enhance functional performance; or the promotion of health and wellness.

What is specifically excluded from the practice?

N/A

Are there any special trainings or requirements?

N/A

Reference

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 324.050