Occupational Therapy Medical Terms and Abbreviations

The world of occupational therapy (OT) might seem a bit confusing when you first dive into the curriculum, particularly since there are plenty of medical terms you may have yet to encounter. However, you will likely find these new terms make perfect sense as you develop a more robust understanding of their concepts.

At St. Catherine University, our knowledgeable instructors focus on helping students understand the terminology and theories and empowering them to identify ways to practice these theories in the real world. You may find the following occupational therapy glossary useful if you’re just starting with our occupational therapy assistant (OTA) degree program or are still considering pursuing this exciting career option.

Occupational Therapy Glossary: Common Acronyms to Know

Many occupational therapy terms are acronyms or abbreviations. As an OTA student, developing an excellent working knowledge of the acronyms most commonly used in the field can be helpful. As a result, you may be able to collaborate more effectively with other professionals.

The following are some of the most common OT acronyms:

• ADLs: Activities of daily living – This refers to the everyday activities that individuals do daily. Examples of ADLs include bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and eating, which are basic self-care tasks.
• AROM: Active range of motion – Clients with conditions that affect their physical functioning will be evaluated for AROM — the degree to which they can move their joints independently.
• IADLs: Instrumental activities of daily living – Beyond ADLs, IADLs refer to more complex skills that people generally need to master to live independently and productively. Some examples of IADLs include shopping for and preparing meals, managing personal finances, performing housework, knowing how to use communication devices and navigating transportation (either driving or using public transit).
• MaxA/ModA/MinA/SBA/I: Maximum assistance/moderate assistance/minimal assistance/stand-by assistance/independent – These abbreviations comprise a scale that rates how much assistance a client needs with mobility, ADLs and IADLs. For example, if a client needs more than 75% assistance in an area, the client is “MaxA.” Clients can have different ratings across different functions. For instance, a client may be “MinA” in feeding but “MaxA” in mobility.
• SGT/LGT: Long-term goal/short-term goal — OTAs work with their clients to support goals, which guide the treatment plan. As the client meets their goals, new goals may be established.
• WNL: Within normal limits — A client with a normal AROM (see above) is said to be “within normal limits.”

Occupational Therapy Phrases Involving Sensory Matters

Did you know that OTAs often work with clients who have sensory issues? These individuals may have an over or under-responsiveness to sensory stimuli in the environment. Some of the most commonly used occupational therapy phrases relating to sensory matters include:

• Interoception: One of the senses, interoception, is the ability to “read” what nerve receptors inside the body are telling the person. For instance, interoception is responsible for letting people know they are hungry, cold, nauseous or need the toilet.
• Sensory modulation/processing: This refers to the ability to process input received through the various senses and produce the correct behavioral response.
• Sensory processing disorder: The brain constantly receives information from the senses. If a client has a sensory processing disorder, they cannot correctly process this information, which leads to an inability to develop appropriate responses. Sensory processing disorder is more common in clients with autism spectrum disorder.
• Vestibular System: The vestibular system (inside the inner ear) receives information as a person engages in physical movement. This sensory information is vital for maintaining proper movement, balance and equilibrium.

Occupational Therapy Terms Involving Movement

Occupational therapy assistants often work with clients who need help because of deficits in their motor skills. The following are some of the standard occupational therapy medical terms you’ll encounter that relate to movement:

• Bilateral coordination: Bilateral coordination is the ability to use both halves of the body in a coordinated way. For example, they can use both hands to catch a ball or clap their hands.
• Crossing midline: This is the ability to move an arm or a leg across the midline of the body to complete a task, such as tying shoelaces.
• Fine motor skills: Fine motor control is necessary for the skilled movement of the hands, such as the ability to handle tools.
• Gross motor skills: All coordinated physical movements involving large muscle groups are called gross motor skills. These are necessary for “large” movements like running and jumping.
• Hypotonia: This is another term for low muscle tone (see muscle tone below).
• Manipulation: This is the ability to hold and move (manipulate) objects in the hand.
• Motor planning: This involves planning, organizing and executing a physical movement correctly and with coordination.
• Muscle tone: This is defined by the degree of tension in the muscles. It allows people to maintain specific postures and execute every type of movement—from grasping a pencil to jumping.
• Prone: This is when a person is lying face-down on their stomach.
• Supine: This is when a person is lying face-up on their back.

Occupational Therapy Words Involving Language and Speech

Although speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are speech and language specialists, OTAs also work with these same clients, supporting oral motor deficits, as well as feeding and swallowing. Deficits in speech can impact a client’s social participation or even their ability to understand what we might communicate during a treatment session. OTs and OTAs often collaborate with SLPs on a client’s treatment plan.

You’re likely to encounter the following terms relating to language and speech:

• Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device: This is any device intended to aid a person with limited communication abilities or who is entirely nonverbal. Devices may be high-tech (e.g., a smartphone app) or low-tech (e.g., pen and paper).
• Cue: This is an auditory, tactile or visual prompt that tells a person to do or say something. Cues can help clients remember something, such as the specific steps needed to complete a task.
• Expressive language skills: This refers to how clients can make themselves understood by talking or writing.
• Motor speech disorder: Usually a type of dysarthria or apraxia, a motor speech disorder refers to a musculoskeletal, neuromuscular or neurological problem in producing correct speech or an aspect of correct speech.
• Pragmatic language skills: This refers to the ability to use language within a social context, such as carrying out a conversation or using words appropriate for a particular audience or situation. Clients who have suffered a stroke or right-side brain injury may struggle with pragmatic language skills.
• Receptive language skills: This refers to understanding spoken or written language.

Ready to Begin Your Career in Occupational Therapy?

St. Catherine University’s Online Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program can allow you to pursue a meaningful and worthwhile career as an OTA. Our hybrid curriculum will enable you to take courses online, as well as in-person, hands-on skills labs and fieldwork experiences—all of which will equip you with a robust knowledge of OT and its many medical terms. Graduate in as little as 16 months with your Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in OTA degree and confidently sit for the certification exam.

Contact St. Kate’s admissions advisors today to learn about the application process.