Occupational Therapy
Active engagement in learning is the approach we use in the Occupational Therapy program at Edith Cowan University. Our courses place great importance on learning in the workplace and therefore our clinical practice program is central to the structure of the overall course. Students begin their clinic visits within two weeks after starting their course. They get to see first hand the diversity of settings in which occupational therapists work and over the duration of the course they gain valuable experience in these settings with guidance by qualified supervisors.
We have state-of–the art occupational therapy laboratories and teaching resources in the new Health and Wellness Building on the Joondalup Campus. All the other facilities at the Joondalup Campus are new and combine to create an environment that is supportive, colourful and fun.
The ECU occupational therapy community is proactive in engaging with our local community. Where possible we participate in events such as promoting National Mental Health Week and advising on ways to make the community more accessible for all people so they can participate in its activities more fully.
The Alumni OT Chapter makes an important contribution to promoting the values and aspirations for occupational therapy within the university and in the wider community. It also provides a sense of belonging and welcomes students into the ECU occupational therapy community and supports their development.
Subjects studied include disability, mental health, rehabilitation, health promotion, assistive technology, community access, anatomy, neuroscience and clinical science.
Students gain first hand experience in clinics from first semester onwards in their course.
Our graduates are equipped with the professional knowledge, competencies and values to work in a wide range of traditional and emerging work settings.
What do occupational therapists do?
Occupational therapists contribute to the quality of life and health of individuals and communities by maximizing the positive effects of occupation on health and wellbeing. We consider all the things that can support or prevent individuals from participating in community activities, such as the physical, social, attitudinal and legislative environments. Our interventions focus on programs that are person oriented and that facilitate performance of everyday tasks and adaptation of settings in which the person works, lives and socializes. As occupational therapists we achieve these outcomes by enabling people to do things that will enhance their ability to participate or by modifying the environment to better support participation. The capacity to participate in meaningful occupations generally results in enhanced quality of life and wellbeing. Cooperation and coordination with other professionals, families, caregivers and volunteers are important in the realisation of occupational therapists’ holistic approach.
Occupational therapists study occupations and the relevance of these to the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. A holistic and client-centred approach to assessment and interventions is based on knowledge of physical and psychosocial development, environmental factors and the analysis of occupations. This enables occupational therapists to assist individuals and communities to develop the skills so they are able to participate more fully in the life they choose, or to prevent disruptions in their day-to-day living. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages to improve quality of life, promote health, prevent disability, and develop or maintain abilities.
Further Information
Contact Nicole at occtherapy@ecu.edu.au or telephone (61 8) 6304 5523.
