Understanding Neuro-Occupational Therapy

Are you interested in neurology? Have you heard of occupational therapy but aren’t sure what occupational therapists actually do? Read this article and you might discover a healthcare career you’d love to pursue!

What Is Occupational Therapy and How Does it Differ From Neuro-Occupational Therapy? 

Did you know that 3.1% of healthcare workers are occupational therapists? Occupational therapy, as defined by the American Occupational Therapy Association, “enables people of all ages to participate in daily living.” In other words, they help patients engage in meaningful daily activities.

OTs work with patients with mental, developmental, physical, or emotional challenges to improve their ability to perform everyday tasks like eating, working, or playing.

Let's look a little further into what an occupational therapist does. They...

• Develop treatment plans   

• Create individualized plans to help patients reach their goals

• Enhance cognitive skills 

• Help patients with cognitive skills such as attention, memory-based play, and different kinds of puzzles

• Support patients well-being and mental-health

• Improve motor skills  

• Help patients practice physical skills through tasks like writing, walking, and balance exercises

Fun Fact: Occupational therapy has been around for over a century! It was founded in 1917 when the National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy, now known as the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) held their first meeting!

Neuro-Occupational Therapy: The Basics 

Now that we know what occupational therapists are and what they do, let's focus on neuro-occupational therapy. The prefix “neuro” means brain, meaning that this specific kind of OT focuses on brain function. 

The brain, one of the body’s five vital organs, serves as the body’s control center and is extremely complex. Neuro-occupational therapists (Neuro-OTs) focus on increasing the quality of life of their patients by improving functionality relating to brain injuries and/or disease. 

 Such include: 

• Strokes

• Spinal cord injuries

• Parkinson's disease 

• Huntington’s disease 

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) 

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 

Like occupational therapists, neuro-occupational therapists have key areas of focus.

These can include, but are not limited too:

1. Physical Rehabilitation 

   • Neuro-OTs help patients improve physical stability, focusing on coordination, balance, strength, and range of motion

2. Cognitive Rehabilitation 

   • While working with their clients, Neuro-OTs address executive, problem-solving, and memory functions. 

3. Sensory Integration 

   • Neuro-OTs help patients manage sensory sensitivities, how they respond to environmental stimuli, and improve sensory processing

4. Adaptive Strategies 

   • Like other healthcare workers who create individualized plans, Neuro-OTs develop innovative ways to help clients perform tasks and adapt to challenges.

5. Education and Support 

   • Neuro-OTs educate and support patients and their families on managing conditions effectively and healthily.

Fun Fact:  Occupational therapy is grounded with seven core values: altruism, equality, freedom, justice, dignity, truth, and prudence. 

A Day in the Life of a Neuro-Occupational Therapist

DISCLAIMER: This section is based on a blog from “My OT Spot” about the daily life of outpatient Neuro-OT Renee Leuschke. Not every Neuro-OT’s workday looks the same.

Starting the Day: (8:30 AM - 9:00 AM) 

• Arrive at the clinic 20 minutes before the client.

• Check emails and print schedule of the day. 

• Review previous sessions 

• Complete chart reviews for new patients

Morning Appointment Block: (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM)

• 7 total patients that day

• Leuschke focuses on areas like upper body ROM and strengthening, functional cognition, attention, and fine and gross motor skills

Lunch: (1:00PM -2:00 PM) 

Afternoon Wrap Up: (2:00PM-5:30PM)

• Sees last few patients

• If there is time left over, it is spent preparing home exercise programs in advance 

• Dismantle charts for discharged patients

• Review schedules for upcoming days

NOTE: Schedules vary depending on workplace, patient load, age of patients, and individualized plans.

Are you becoming more interested in this field? Great! Keep reading to learn more.

Salary Expectations 

Neuro-occupational therapists generally earn more than general OTs due to their specialized expertise and demand.

According to Indeed, typical salaries in the U.S. are:

• General: $93,180

• Neuro: $106,000

Salaries vary depending on demand, workplace setting, experience, and specialized training.

Schooling

If interested in becoming an occupational therapist, the general steps include the following: 

1. Get a bachelor’s degree. Most people major in exercise science (also known as kinesiology), biology, or psychology. The major you go into for your bachelor’s doesn’t have to be medical related! Of course, it does help to go into a major like psychology or health sciences. 

2. Pursue a graduate degree. After earning your bachelor’s degree, the next step is either getting your MOT (masters) or DOT (doctorate). This typically takes 2-3 years.

3. Complete field work. This provides clinical experience and is an integral part of the graduate program. 

4. Pass the NBCOT exam. Before you are able to become and work as a licensed OT, you need to pass this exam. The NBCOT,  short for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, is taken to assess your knowledge and skills to ensure you are ready to work as an occupational therapist. 

5. Obtain State Licensure. Once you pass the NBCOT, your next step will be to apply for licensure in your state. 

6. Find a job! Lastly, apply to different jobs until you find and are accepted into your dream work settings. 

Best Schools for OT 

In the United States, the best schools for occupational therapy include the following: 

• Boston University 

• University of Pittsburgh 

• Colorado State University 

• Washington University in St. Louis

• University of Illinois at Chicago 

Final Thoughts

Thank you so much once again for reading! I hope you have learned one or two things about this particularly rewarding and amazing field in medicine. 

Written by Gabrielle B and researched by Keegan W

2025 The HEAL Project