Occupational therapists have been turning to blogs — and later, vlogs — for decades. The World Wide Web is saturated with pages and pages of advice, insights, and entertainment to expand knowledge, stay up-to-date on the latest industry news and trends, or just find some like-minded industry experts to commiserate with. But with so much out there, how do you choose the best?
To help you find the cream of the crop, we scoured the internet and put together a list of the best OT blogs and vlogs according to working OTs and OT students. The websites that made it onto our list are ones that are regularly updated with posts that cover a wide range of topics that we know are near and dear to your heart. Take a look and make sure to check some of these out today!
The Best General Occupational Therapy Blogs
1. OT Dude
- Author/Publisher: Jeffrey Kou, OTR/L
- What It Covers: Kou established this blog with a mission to provide research-based information to a diverse audience that includes therapists, students, patients, and anyone interested in occupational therapy, positive health outcomes, or a better quality of life through occupational therapy.
- Areas of Focus:
- Creative OT tips
- Direct patient care
- Evidence-based practice
- Practical resources
- Treatment guides
- Why You’ll Love It: Since bursting onto the blogosphere as a young OT in 2019, Kou takes a no-nonsense approach, providing helpful coverage of OT topics for a general audience. This frequently updated blog covers everything from studying for the NBCOT to adhering to the latest evidence-based practices.
2. WebPT Blog
- Author/Publisher: Multiple contributors
- What It Covers: Though it has PT in the name, the WebPT blog produces a significant amount of content that any OT will find highly relevant and useful in their day-to-day work life. The information can be a little technical at times, but it’s laid out in a very straightforward, basic way with lots of bullet points and lists.
- Areas of Focus:
- Practice management
- Specific OT skills
- Valuable information
- Assistive technology
- Mostly open-source exploration
- Why You’ll Love It: This blog is a great resource to keep yourself up-to-date on all the latest news and trends going on in the rehab therapy space, as well as for job hunting.
The Best Pediatric Occupational Therapy Blogs
- Author/Publisher: Heather Greutman, OTA
- What It Covers: This fun, informative website covers developmental milestones, sensory processing, handwriting skills, and hands-on activities for children.
- Areas of Focus:
- Pediatric therapy
- Early intervention
- Child's motor skills
- Cursive writing
- Whole child
- Sensory processing
- Special needs
- Why You’ll Love It: Greutman uses a variety of tools, including video and printable e-books, to bring specific information to the public about improving a child’s motor skills in the classroom or at home.
- Author/Publisher: Colleen Beck, OTR/L
- What It Covers: The OT Toolbox focuses on fine motor, sensory, vision, handwriting, and executive function in kids. Beck started this blog to help create a community of OT professionals and parents who wished to learn more hands-on approaches to working with children in a therapeutic setting.
- Areas of Focus:
- Pediatric OT
- Healthy development
- School-based OT
- Fine motor skills
- Hand therapy
- Cursive writing
- Special education
- Why You’ll Love It: The OT Toolbox emphasizes mindfulness techniques to improve well-being for the “whole child.” The blog provides a number of tools and fresh, inspiring ideas — especially around coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety-produced motor skills issues.
The Best Occupational Therapy Blog for Holistic Practices
5. Holistic OT
- Author/Publisher: Emmy Vadnais, OTR/L
- What It Covers: Vadnais and other contributors share research and insights about the integration of mind, body, and overall wellness into OT practice.
- Areas of Focus:
- Holistic practice
- Complementary and integrative health
- Intervention ideas
- Treatment ideas
- Personal experience
- Why You’ll Love It: Anyone interested in alternative, complementary, or integrative OT treatment, diagnosis, and prevention can benefit from exploring this blog.
The Best Blogs & Vlog for Growing Your Career in Occupational Therapy
6. My OT Spot
- Author/Publisher: Sarah Stromsdorfer, OTR/L
- What It Covers: My OT Spot answers many questions that a beginner OT might have when it comes to starting or transitioning into a career in occupational therapy.
- Areas of Focus:
- Academic success
- Study guides
- New grads
- Developmental milestones
- Direct patient care
- Healthcare practitioners
- Why You’ll Love It: There are four sections to this blog: discovering OT, going to school, transitioning to practice, and practicing OT/COTA — everything an aspiring or freshly baked OT needs to know about their chosen field and what to do once they start their career. Those interested in licensing requirements and setting up an OT practice will also find that information on a state-by-state basis.
- Author/Publisher: Scott Harmon, OT
- What It Covers: If you’re hoping to eventually start your own private practice, this is the blog for you. Harmon started two OT practices with his wife and began blogging as a way to provide other OTs with the support and confidence he didn’t have while he was building his businesses. True to his word, Harmon’s blog provides you with information you need to know about how to build a private practice, as well as tips for how to grow your business and connect to clients.
- Areas of Focus:
- Private practice
- Practice areas
- Practice management
- Professional development
- Specific skills
- Imposter syndrome
- Why You’ll Love It: OTs and potential OTs can identify with Harmon’s bravery in addressing common issues that plague any entrepreneur, such as fear of starting a business, establishing goals or specialties, and the dreaded imposter syndrome. The videos in this vlog site are ideal showcases for Harmon’s compelling storytelling.
The Best Geriatric Occupational Therapy Blogs & Vlog
- Author/Publisher: Multiple contributors
- What It Covers: The Caring Times blog promotes discussion about many health and wellness topics connected to geriatric occupational health.
- Areas of Focus:
- Caregiver instruction
- Skilled nursing
- Long-term care
- Home health
- Why You’ll Love It: This blog is a very down-to-earth and uplifting read that touches on day-to-day activities and health issues that geriatric patients tend to struggle with, such as self-care tasks (e.g., washing hair), glaucoma, and memory loss.
- Author/Publisher: Mandy Chamberlain, MOTR/L
- What It Covers: Part blog and part vlog, Seniors Flourish is a full-scale occupational therapy website with many resources, including community support for therapists, paid courses, and a free newsletter. The blog itself covers everything from Alzheimer’s and stroke therapy to tips for choosing a wheelchair for clients and ways to curb burnout.
- Areas of Focus:
- Physical activity
- Adult rehabilitation
- Long-term care
- Home health
- Home modifications
- Why You’ll Love It: The Seniors Flourish blog has a really friendly and informal tone, and it encourages readers to post their own experiences and examples of how they dealt with different challenges, whether in their personal or professional lives. For example, one OT shared a post describing how she crafted a makeshift fishing pole with magnets to help a client who wanted to master his favorite hobby again.
The Best Occupational Therapy Blog for Industry News
10. ABC Therapeutics Occupational Therapy Blog
- Author/Publisher: Chris Alterio, OTR/L
- What It Covers: The ABC Therapeutics blog is geared toward students and established OTs who need to stay current with the latest news and trends going on in the occupational therapy industry.
- Areas of Focus:
- Educational resources
- Case studies
- Treatment ideas
- Suggestions for AOTA reform
- Why You’ll Love It: Less “wonky” and technical than other OT blogs on the market, the ABC Therapeutics blog uses a far more casual and approachable tone. However, it also provides readers with pertinent information about accreditation, public policy, and other topics that can help them further their careers. The blog even provides links to conference memos, including real presentation slides for those who aren’t able to attend certain industry conferences.
Final Thoughts
A lot of time and money is spent becoming an occupational therapist. Years of schooling and licensing prepares you to help your patients overcome whatever challenges they’re facing. Like anything, the learning never stops. Include in your learning practice the OTs who share their opinions on the profession, tips for running practices, and useful tools that can help further their careers. Taking time to check out the industry and what other practicing OTs are doing is a great way to stay in the know for yourself and your clients.
Updated by: Chad Deitchley
Image courtesy of iStock.com/fizkes
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