When did occupational therapy start? It began in the early 20th century, but the history of occupational therapy stretches back further, with tentative roots in the 1700s. OT began as a way of treating patients with mental illness. Today, OTAs work with patients with developmental delays, chronic diseases and more.
Occupational therapy (OT) can help a diverse range of patients, from those with autism to those recovering from surgery. If you’ve been thinking about becoming an occupational therapy assistant (OTA), you may be curious about how the profession has evolved and how the history of occupational therapy influences its modern manifestations.
Occupational therapy is an ever-evolving profession. How and when did occupational therapy start? In the early 20th century, it introduced arts and crafts therapy as a means of treating those with mental health issues. Shortly thereafter, the U.S. government sent “occupational therapy reconstructive aides” to France to work with shell-shocked soldiers who fought in World War I. Over time, it evolved into a profession that helps provide rehabilitative services to individuals with mental, physical, or developmental impairments.
St. Catherine University has helped play an essential role in the evolution of OT. In 1964, the university offered the first occupational therapy assistant program in the country. St. Kate’s has become one of the few universities to offer all levels of OT education, from associate degrees through master’s and doctoral degrees.
St. Catherine University remains an education leader, offering its OTA program in a 16-month online format with lab sites in California, Virginia, Minnesota, and Texas.
As we celebrate occupational therapy’s achievements, note that the field has roots in the 1700s, long before it was known as OT.
The Origins of Occupational Therapy: 1700s
The Age of Enlightenment began in 1685 and ended in 1815. Known as the “long 18th century,” this period was characterized by dramatic progress in science, philosophy, communications, and politics. Traditionally, patients who were mentally ill were viewed as threats to society. Often, they were imprisoned and received no treatment. During the new intellectual and philosophical movement, however, ideas emerged to change how mental illness was treated.
The Moral Treatment Movement, introduced by philanthropist William Tuke and French physician Phillippe Pinel, began the push to develop more humane methods of treatment for those who suffered from mental illness. Advocates believed all patients were entitled to compassion, which would provide a better foundation for treatment and recovery.
The York Retreat, founded by William Tuke, was designed for the humane treatment of mentally ill people. This was the first asylum of its kind, featuring long, airy corridors that allowed patients to wander freely. Here, the mentally ill would be cared for with kindness, dignity, and decency.
A Timeline of Occupational Therapy
Although the Age of Enlightenment helped create a shift in how people with mental illness were treated, occupational therapy didn’t begin as an established field at that time. It could be said that the intellectual movement helped create the foundations for improvements in care, making it possible for the founders of OT to do their work. The origin of occupational therapy begins in the 1800s.
Who Were the Founders of Occupational Therapy?
Benjamin Rush, known as the “Father of American Psychiatry,” was among the first physicians in the U.S. to use moral treatment practices on patients. He recommended occupational therapy for the institutionalized and mentally ill, encouraging them to sew, garden, listen to music, or exercise during the day. Serving as the attending physician at Pennsylvania Hospital from 1783 through 1813, Dr. Rush eliminated lock and cuff restraints for mentally ill patients.
Dorothea Dix was another early founder. In 1841, Dix began advocating for better conditions for the mentally ill. A nurse, teacher, and advocate, Dix discovered through first-hand experience the abysmal conditions in which the mentally ill were kept in prisons. She gathered evidence and presented her case to legislatures, obtaining funding for mental health hospitals.
Dix believed that hospitals for these patients needed to be in peaceful settings to facilitate their care. She further advocated for implementation of the Moral Treatment that she discovered at the York Retreat.
Other key founders from the early 1900s include:
- William Rush Dunton Jr.: Considered the “Father of Occupational Therapy.” He implemented an arts and crafts regimen for his patients and later started National Society for Promotion of Occupational Therapy (NSPOT).
- Dr. Herbert Hall: Coined the term “work cure.” He was a pioneer in the systematic and organized study of occupation as therapy for patients with nervous and mental disorders. He started a pottery, weaving and carpentry workshop to treat hysteria, neurosis and neurasthenia, and other psychological disorders.
- Susan Tracy: A nurse who was involved in the work therapy movement, which valued occupational therapy techniques. She wrote the first American book about occupational therapy called “Studies in Invalid Occupations.”
- George Edward Barton: Believed to have coined the term “occupational therapy.” He was an architect who became an advocate of OT after a personal experience with treatment of illness. He later opened an arts and crafts workshop in Clifton Springs, New York, called Consolation House.
- Eleanor Clark Slagle: Known as the “Mother of Occupational Therapy,” organized the first professional school for occupational therapists, The Henry B. Favill School of Occupations, in Chicago, Illinois.
Get the facts about occupational therapy assistants.
The Evolution of Occupational Therapy
The golden years of Moral Treatment and Occupation in American hospitals lasted until 1860. During this time in OT history, the benefits of arts and crafts were being recognized and became a commonly used activity by clinicians to promote relaxation and feelings of productivity.
The Arts and Crafts Movement theorized that doing things with your own two hands was a healthier practice than letting a machine do it. Proponents of this movement believed that machine work alienated people from nature and their own creativity. Occupational therapists adapted this approach in their treatment of patients.
Up to this point, arts and crafts were predominantly used to treat people with mental illnesses. WWI changed this. Although OT was used to treat shell-shocked soldiers, it was also used to help physically disabled soldiers regain function. OT providers helped soldiers relearn how to care for themselves and navigate the world.
The First Professional Organizations and Standards
A look at the history of occupational therapy encompasses its professional organizations. On March 5, 1939, The National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy (NSPOT), now known as the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), was founded at the Consolation House in New York.
In 1956, the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) was inaugurated by 10 occupational therapy associations from around the world. Its purpose was to promote and advocate for occupational therapy internationally.
OT is now present in the classroom. Explore the rise of OT in schools.
Modern Occupational Therapy and Its Impact
In 1964, the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) occupation was created to alleviate the demand for OTs, who faced more rigorous credential requirements. In 1980, St. Catherine launched its first two-year degree program for COTAs (formally known as St. Mary’s Junior College).
Over time, OT evolved to focus on a person’s quality of life through education prevention, screenings, and health maintenance. Today, a wide range of people can benefit from OT, including those who:
- Are recovering from surgery or traumatic accidents
- Have neurodevelopmental disorders or delays
- Have chronic diseases like Parkinson’s
- Are seniors with mobility problems or functional deficits
Be Part of the Future of OT
Occupational therapy continues to evolve. That’s what makes now the best time to become a certified OTA through St. Kate’s online OTA program. As the demand increases for OTAs, this program gives you the perfect opportunity to pave the path toward your future.
Contact an admissions advisor today to get started and find out how to graduate with an AAS in OTA in as few as 16 months.
