Occupational therapy resources

Occupational therapy resources help clinicians in a dynamic field that is continuously shaped by new research, evolving clinical guidelines, and advancing technology.

Summary

• Occupational therapy resources now include AI-powered tools that streamline documentation, support decision-making, and create tailored therapy plans, helping clinicians focus more on client care. TheraPlatform, an EHR for occupational therapists offers AI-powered documentation.

• Professional organizations like AOTA, ASHT, and WFOT provide essential guidelines, advocacy, and continuing education, while research databases and journals offer evidence-based insights.

• AI applications in OT extend to real-time documentation, progress tracking, automated scoring, and personalized care programs, provided they meet HIPAA and ethical standards.

• Apps, teletherapy platforms, and online communities expand therapy beyond sessions, while culturally competent care, therapist wellness tools, and DEI frameworks ensure more inclusive, effective, and sustainable practice.

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To deliver high-quality care, improve client outcomes, and uphold professional credibility, therapists must stay current with these developments. Increasingly, the profession is embracing tech-forward occupational therapy resources and tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to streamline and automate documentation, support clinical decision-making, and generate tailored therapy plans.

These innovations enhance efficiency, accuracy, and personalization of care, allowing therapists to focus more on meaningful client interaction and less on administrative work. Follow along as we explore the top occupational therapy resources including associations and organizations, developments in the fields of AI, databases, research sources and more

Professional associations and organizations for occupational therapists

Several professional associations can act as occupational therapy resources to help clinicians with questions and keep them updated around their industry.

They include:

• American Occupational Therapy Association, AOTA: A professional organization for occupational therapists that offers some free online information, but membership is required to view the full benefits of this site. Membership helps drive efforts of occupational therapy on a legislative level. It enables the provision of extensive collections of OT resources for research, continuing education, and summaries, helping therapists find practical solutions to challenges faced in current practice.

• American Society of Hand Therapists, ASHT: The professional organization for hand therapists offers some free online information, with most of the site accessible with membership. Membership helps promote advocacy, education, research, and clinical standards to its members.

• World Federation of Occupational Therapists: A global organization that works with various national professional organizations to offer insight into standards for education, policies, manuals, and guidelines. Membership is required to access the full content provided.

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: A free online resource to view up-to-date guidelines for billing and coding therapy services.

• World Health Organization: A global resource to find information on interventions and conditions treated around the world, gaining an outward perspective on health conditions.

Research databases and journals

• American Journal of Occupational Therapy: Also known as AJOT, offers literature about occupational therapy and is accessible with AOTA membership.

• Cochrane Library: Free online resource with collections of evidence for searchable interventions. Membership is available but not required to view literature.

• National Library of Medicine: Free online resource to review research about specific interventions.

• Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, OTJR, is a peer-reviewed journal focusing on factors of human participation and factors that influence health and well-being.

Many of these OT resources offer a portion of their literature as open access, where readers can explore the content for free. Other journals provide content for a fee, in which case, you pay to view content. Local libraries, colleges, and universities may assist you in viewing journals. Ask your local librarian or school administrator for more information to access content you may have difficulty viewing.

AI-enhanced literature search tools like Semantic Scholar and AI-powered abstract summarizers can rapidly extract key findings, filter for relevance, and even highlight gaps in the evidence base.

This can significantly reduce the time spent sifting through large volumes of research, allowing OTs to translate findings into practice more quickly.

Therapy tools, assessments, and evidence-based guides

A strong OT toolkit combines validated assessments with structured intervention frameworks.

The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is a trusted leader in rehabilitation, offering research-backed tools and protocols.

Choose assessments that fit your client population and are supported by published validation studies.

Evidence-based tools strengthen clinical decisions and demonstrate the measurable impact of OT services. Always verify that new or emerging tools are backed by credible research, as clinical rigor should not be replaced.

When choosing assessments, consider

• Population (pediatric, adult, geriatric)
• Cost/licensing
• Psychometric evidence (reliability, validity, normative data)
• Feasibility (time, equipment, training)

Focus areas may include

• Pediatric assessments: (PDMS-2, BOT-2, SPM and SPM2)
• ADLs/Functional Independence Tools: (FIM, AMPS)
• Cognitive Assessments: (MoCA, D-KEFS)
• Neuro & Motor Assessments: (Fugl-Meyer, Berg Balance, Wolf Motor Function)

Occupational therapy apps and online programs

Evidence-based apps can reinforce therapy outside of sessions. Some examples include:

• Dexteria: Fine motor skill development
• CDC Milestone Tracker: Developmental milestone monitoring
• Choiceworks: Visual schedules and behavioral supports
• Khan Academy Kids App: The kids' version of an occupational therapy resource includes several games to help with letter recognition, letter formation, and developmental concepts. Kahn Academy also offers an online program for adults to practice skills and even prepare for tests, which may be beneficial for therapists and clients alike.
• Lumosity: An online program to help stimulate cognitive skills.
• Tools to Grow: An online resource that offers handouts and intervention ideas for therapists of school-age children with concepts including sensory suggestions, ADL ideas, and fine motor practice with colorful illustrations to share with clients.
• Letter School: An app that assists children to learn how to write and spell, focusing on pre-writing skills, letter formation, and letter recognition.

AI-enhanced cognitive training platforms, such as CogniFit, can adapt difficulty levels in real-time, creating personalized cognitive exercise plans based on user performance trends.

Online communities and forums

Professional communities, such as AOTA's online forums, specialized Facebook groups, and OT-focused subreddits, can be excellent occupational therapy resources for peer-to-peer learning, resource sharing, and professional networking.

However, not all information shared online is accurate or appropriate for clinical application.

Therapists should evaluate the credibility of posts by asking whether the content aligns with evidence-based practice, supports occupational therapy's ethical framework, and reflects culturally inclusive values.

How to vet online occupational therapy resources

Ask yourself the following questions when considering online occupational therapy resources.

• Does it reference credible sources or peer-reviewed research?
• Does it align with the values and ethics of the occupational therapy profession?
• Is the language culturally sensitive and inclusive?
• Could sharing or applying this information risk breaching client confidentiality?
• Is it consistent with the latest clinical guidelines or best practices?

In addition, discussions should always maintain professional boundaries, safeguard client privacy, and follow the administrative policies of each forum to ensure a respectful and productive exchange.

Reputable online occupational therapy communities

• AOTA CommunOT (official member forum)
• Reddit’s r/OccupationalTherapy
• Facebook Groups: OTs in Private Practice or Pediatric OT Network
• LinkedIn Groups: Occupational Therapy Professionals

Occupational therapy resources to start a private practice

Explore our free occupational therapist resources, including a step-by-step guide to starting a private practice, an on-demand teletherapy training course, a customizable business plan template, an EHR/EMR buyer’s guide, and essential practice forms to streamline your workflow.

• Guide on how to start a private practice: Our therapist-written guide walks you through every step of starting and growing your private practice—from business setup and marketing to EHR, billing, and what pitfalls to avoid.

• How to start teletherapy business (our telehealth course): Watch our on-demand teletherapy training video with TheraPlatform co-founder Beata Klarowska, M.S. CCC-SLP, to learn everything from legal compliance and documentation to insurance reimbursement and best practices for launching your teletherapy practice.

• Business plan: A therapy business plan is a roadmap that outlines your practice goals and strategies over 3–5 years, serving as a guide, checklist, and accountability tool. Download your business plan now for free.

• EHR Guide: Our EHR/EMR Buyer’s Guide helps therapists save time and make informed decisions by outlining benefits, key features, and evaluation tips for choosing the best software for private practice.

• Insurance billing course: Enroll in TheraPlatform’s free on-demand course to learn credentialing, coding, claim submission, and denial management. Plus get a free billing ebook and tools to help you grow referrals and improve financial security.

• Forms: Access essential templates to simplify your practice: Incident Report, Release of Information (ROI) Form, Confidentiality Agreement, Notice of Privacy Practices, Consent to Record, Parent/Guardian Consent, Credit Card Authorization, and Financial Agreement & Payment Policy.

Teletherapy platforms and digital delivery

Telehealth has become a staple in OT delivery. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides guidelines on telehealth compliance, while HIPAA-compliant platforms like TheraPlatform secure service delivery.

When selecting a teletherapy platform, it's important to prioritize features that protect both the therapist and the client. Built-in informed consent documentation ensures that clients understand the nature of telehealth services, their rights, and any potential risks before beginning treatment.

A user-friendly interface makes it easier for clients of all ages and abilities to join sessions, navigate tools, and engage fully in therapy without unnecessary frustration.

Finally, having a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) in place confirms that the platform meets HIPAA compliance requirements, safeguarding sensitive health information and reinforcing trust in the therapeutic process.

AI development

Many organizations are beginning to explore and publish positions on AI in healthcare.

For example, AOTA has addressed digital health trends, acknowledging the role of AI-powered tools in documentation, telehealth delivery, and outcome measurement.

AOTA's position highlights the importance of preparing practitioners to navigate this changing landscape by integrating AI literacy into continuing education and professional development.

This includes understanding how algorithms can support clinical decision-making, identifying potential biases in AI-generated data, and ensuring that technology use aligns with ethical guidelines and client-centered care.

By publishing occupational therapy resources, hosting webinars, and fostering discussion in professional forums, organizations like AOTA are helping therapists bridge the gap between

traditional practice methods and emerging, tech-enabled approaches, ensuring that AI adoption in OT remains safe, ethical, and effective.

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AI-powered occupational therapy resources

AI is gaining ground in the core functions of OT, including:

• Documentation: Smart note-taking tools can transcribe sessions in real time and generate SOAP notes with clinical phrasing. EHRs like TheraPlatform, for example, can generate text, voice and transcribed sessions into polished notes.

• Progress monitoring: AI dashboards can track client performance over time, flagging plateaus or regressions and suggesting evidence-based adjustments.

• Client-centered care: Some AI programs generate personalized home programs or educational handouts tailored to a client's diagnosis, age, and goals.

It is important to note, however, that any AI used in therapy must adhere to HIPAA standards, protect client confidentiality, and be used to support, not replace, clinical therapist expertise. By combining AI efficiency with professional judgment, therapists can enhance care delivery while upholding ethical standards.

Watch this video to learn how to simplify note taking

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Culture, diversity, and inclusive care resources

Delivering culturally competent care involves understanding a client's linguistic, social, and occupational profile. DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) frameworks can guide practice toward equity and accessibility.

Personalizing therapy materials to match a client's linguistic background and occupational profile is essential for engagement, comprehension, and long-term success. Language choice affects not only understanding, but also how welcomed and respected a client feels in the therapeutic process.

Using a client's preferred language, simplifying complex terminology, and adjusting reading levels can remove barriers and build trust.

AI-powered translation tools and reading-level analysis can create client handouts that are linguistically accurate, culturally sensitive, and accessible for different literacy levels.

Free Resources for Therapists

Click below and help yourself to peer-created resources:

• Ready-to-use worksheets, checklists, assessments & more!
• Master insurance billing with our expert-led course
• Telehealth 101: On-demand videos
• Curious how TheraPlatform solves private practice pain points?

Key resources

• American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA):
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) frameworks, forums, and special interest groups with webinars and toolkits for culturally responsive practice.
• National Institute of Health(NIH)/National Institute on Minority Health & Health Disparities(NIMHD):
  • Training on cultural humility, health disparities, and intersectionality in healthcare.
• American Heart Association (AHA):
  • Guidance on motivational interviewing and active listening to support inclusive, client-centered communication.

Inclusive practice strategies

• Use translators
• Choose assessments thoughtfully to reduce cultural bias
• Use person-first, identity-affirming language
  • “Describe what the person has rather than what the person is.”1
• Account for accessibility
• Reflect regularly on bias
  • “Those who engage in the process of self-assessment report personal and professional benefits”1

Tips for inclusive assessments and communication

• Connect with OT authors and practitioners from underrepresented communities (LGBTQ+, racial, and ethnic minorities).
• Consider linguistic diversity, literacy, and occupational values when creating treatment plans.
• Recognize how overlapping identities shape each client’s lived experience:
  • Research indicates that “intersectionality was identified as a lens for occupational therapy educators, practitioners, and researchers and as an important strategy to address issues faced by diverse students, resulting in more effective client-centered care.”

Therapist wellness and self-care occupational therapy tools

• Mayo Clinic Burnout Assessment Tools to identify early signs of stress and fatigue.
• Mindfulness apps like Calm and Headspace for guided meditation, relaxation, and mental clarity.
• Digital library apps such as Libby or Hoopla for leisure reading and mental refreshment.
• Music platforms like Spotify or Pandora can be used to enhance mood, encourage relaxation, or serve as therapeutic aids for sensory modulation and engagement in meaningful activities.

Some wellness apps now track user engagement and recommend personalized self-care routines based on usage patterns, helping therapists build sustainable habits.

Occupational therapy tools are entering an exciting era -- one where clinical expertise is complemented by innovative technology and AI-driven tools.

By actively exploring resources from professional organizations, engaging with emerging tech platforms, and staying informed about AI advancements, therapists can expand their skill set, enhance client outcomes, and remain at the forefront of the profession.

The future of OT lies in the seamless integration of evidence-based practice with smart technology, enabling more effective, personalized, and compassionate care.

Streamline your practice with One EHR

• Scheduling
• Flexible notes
• Template library
• Billing & payments

• Insurance claims
• Client portal
• Telehealth
• E-fax

Learn More

Resources

TheraPlatform is an all-in-one EHR, practice management, and teletherapy software built for therapists to help them save time on admin tasks. It offers a 30-day risk-free trial with no credit card required and supports different industries and sizes of practices, including occupational therapists in group and solo practices.

More resources

• Therapy resources and worksheets
• Therapy private practice courses
• Ultimate teletherapy ebook
• The Ultimate Insurance Billing Guide for Therapists
• The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Private Therapy Practice
• Mental health credentialing
• Insurance billing 101
• Practice management tools
• Behavioral Health tools

Free video classes

• Free on-demand insurance billing for therapist course
• Free mini video lessons to enhance your private practice
• 9 Admin tasks to automate in your private practice