History of Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy has a rich but complicated history. It was initiated in industrial developed countries, in late 19th and early 20th century.

It has been influenced, as all professions have, by world events, personalities, and social movements. Important examples that have influenced the evolution of occupational therapy include industrialization, women’s rights, wars, economic downturns, health care legislation, and the digital age.

In US, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) was established over 100 years ago and similar to European countries. In Asia, right after the Second World War, Occupational Therapy had presented in India, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong…Some countries in Asia and  and Africa, Occupational Therapy has developed lately and to  and Vietnam, it is a very new profession.