2. What is Occupational Therapy? OTs help their patients recovering from injuries or who have developmental or cognitive disabilities perform day - to - day tasks. The goal is to help people do the things they want and need to do so they can live life to the fullest.

3. Fun Facts! April is national OT month ! Occupational therapists can work in a variety of settings : hospitals, school systems, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, nursing homes, psychiatric facilities and private practices. There were about 113,200 practicing OTs in 2012. Number of jobs are expected to grow 29% from 2012-2022. Must get at least a masters degree, but doctorate degrees are available as well. Masters programs take an additional 2-3 years after an undergraduate degree while doctoral programs take about an additional 3 years. Must pass a certification exam with NBCOT after getting a degree. Passing will allow them to practice under the title of “ Occupational Therapist Registered ” or OTR.

4. OTs can get board or specialty certified through the AOTA in areas such as… Board Certificati ons : Gerontolog y Mental Health Pediatrics Physical Rehabilita tion Specialty Certificati ons : Driving and Community Mobility Environmen tal Modificati on Feeding, Eating, Swallowing Low Vision School Systems

5. Important Qualities: Communication skills - listen attentively to patients and explain what they want their patients to do. Compassion - desire to help people and improve the daily lives of others. Flexibility - not every type of therapy will work for each patient, therapists may need to be creative with the treatment plans and adaptive devices that best suit each patient ’ s needs. Interpersonal skills - earn the trust and respect of their patients. Patience - provide quality care to the people they serve. Writing skills - When communicating in writing they must be able to explain clearly the treatment plan for the patient and any progress made by the patient.

6. $$$$$$$$$$ According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics the average annual salary of OTs in Texas was about $86,550 in 2013. The average national annual salary of OTs was about $77,890 in 2013. The lower 10% of this group made about $51,300 annually while the upper 10% of this group made about $109,380 annually.

7. Graduate Records Exam (GRE) $195 3 Sections : –Verbal Reasoning — Measures your ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it, analyze relationships among component parts of sentences and recognize relationships among words and concepts. –Quantitative Reasoning — Measures problem - solving ability, focusing on basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis. –Analytical Writing — Measures critical thinking and analytical writing skills, specifically your ability to articulate and support complex ideas clearly and effectively. When you first register to take the exam, the Educational Testing Service ( ETS ) will provide you with Power Prep Software which contains two practice tests, and review material to prepare for the practice tests. Kaplan and Princeton Review offer test prep courses and text books. Can find FREE practice tests online and can find study materials for FREE on websites such as Quizlet. Take the GRE at least 6 weeks before the application deadline Can retake it after 21 days, up to 5 times a year Most OT programs require a minimum score of 1000.

8. OT Programs in Texas University of Texas Medical Branch (OT - professional entry-level master's) Galveston, TX http://shp.utmb.edu/ot/default.asp http://shp.utmb.edu/ot/default.asp Texas Woman's University (OT - professional entry-level master's and combined baccalaureate/master's*) Denton, TX www.twu.edu/ot/ *The combined baccalaureate/master's level is offered only at the Denton Campus. (Weekend/online program offered) www.twu.edu/ot/ Texas Woman's University, Dallas Center (OT - professional entry-level master's) Dallas, TX www.twu.edu/ot/ www.twu.edu/ot/ Texas Woman's University, Houston Center (OT - professional entry-level master's) Houston, TX www.twu.edu/ot/ www.twu.edu/ot/

9. OT Programs in Texas (Cont.) University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (OT - professional entry-level master's and combined baccalaureate/master's) San Antonio, TX www.uthscsa.edu/shp/ot www.uthscsa.edu/shp/ot Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (OT - professional entry-level master's) Lubbock, TX www.ttuhsc.edu/sah/mot/ www.ttuhsc.edu/sah/mot/ University of Texas at El Paso (OT - professional entry-level master's) El Paso, TX http://chs.utep.edu/ http://chs.utep.edu/ The University of Texas Pan-American (OT - professional entry-level master's) Edinburg, TX www.utpa.edu/dept/occtherapy www.utpa.edu/dept/occtherapy

10. Sources http://www.allalliedhealthschools.com/health-careers/physical- therapy/occupational-therapist-vs-physical-therapist http://www.allalliedhealthschools.com/health-careers/physical- therapy/occupational-therapist-vs-physical-therapist https://www.heritage-healthcare.com/facts-about-occupational- therapy.aspx https://www.heritage-healthcare.com/facts-about-occupational- therapy.aspx http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm http://www.aota.org/Education-Careers/Advance-Career/Board- Specialty-Certifications.aspx http://www.aota.org/Education-Careers/Advance-Career/Board- Specialty-Certifications.aspx http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291122.htm http://www.ets.org/gre/ http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best- graduate-schools/top-health-schools/occupational-therapy- rankings/page+7 http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best- graduate-schools/top-health-schools/occupational-therapy- rankings/page+7