OT Historical Timeline

Progressive Era

1900's-1919

1910-1919

1912: Eleanor Clarke Slagle, known as the Mother of Occupational Therapy, developed an education program called habit training at the Henry Phipps Psychiatric Clinic of Johns Hopkins Hospital.

1915: Dr. William Rush Dunton Jr. published the book "Occupational Therapy: A Manual for nurses." He's also considered the Father of OT.

1917: The National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy was created and the first meeting for this society was held by 26 men and women.

1918: The Army began its first use of OT at Walter Reed Hospital.

1910-1919

Neo Professional Era

1920-1939

1920-1939

1920: The Mississippi School of Occupational Therapy is the first school to offer courses in occupational therapy for African Americans.

1921: The members of The National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy renamed their society as the American Occupational Therapy Association.

1929: The AOTA establised a registry that would identify all occupational therapists who had graduated from program that were endorsed by the association.

1932: The first national registry of occupational therapy is published.

1935: "Essentials of an Acceptable School of Occupational Therapy" is published in the journal of the American Medical Association.

1920-1939

War and Development

1940-1959

1940-1959

1940: World War II created a demand for occupational therapists.

1945: In order to register as an OT practitioner, examanination was required.

1947: The first edition of Willard & Spacksman's Occupational Therapy book was published. It is known as the "bible" of OT.

1952: WFOT was established by OT associations from 10 countries.

1958: The first 3-month program for Occupational Therapy Assistant was developed.

Evolution and Profession

1960-1979

1960-1979

1960-1979

1965: Medicare was enacted which increased the need for occupational therapy services.

1965: The American Occupational Therapy foundation was founded.

1975: The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 was passed, which included OT as a service that was offed to kids who made need a specialized service.

Occupational Science

1980-1999

1980-1999

1980-1999

1980: Dr. Gary Kilhofner created the Model of Human Occupation that was used as the most evidence-based model of practice in occupational therapy.

1983: The Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation (COTF) was launched to provide the important step in providing funding for OT research and development projects.

1986: Development of the Master's program and PhD programs in OT.

1990: Many AOTA journal articles addressed the AIDS epidemic and the different ways which occupational therapy can be an appropriate resource and treatment for those with diagnosed AIDS.

New Millennium

2000-Present

2000-Present

2002: AOTA adopts the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process to replace Uniform Terminology.

2004: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act provided support for OT provided by qualified practitioners.

2017: AOTA and the profession of occupational therapy turn 100 years old!

Resources:

-PEIOT Society: A history of the occupational therapy profession

https://www.peiot.org/society/society-history-of-ot

-Celebrating AOTA's Centennial: A Hostorial Look at 100 years of Occupational Therapy video

-OT Potiential: 10 Amazing Moments in OT history

https://otpotential.com/blog/occupational-therapy-history