This year’s World Occupational Therapy Week theme is “Occupational Therapy in Action,” taking place 27 October – 2 November 2025. The theme highlights the essence of occupational therapy, a profession that focuses on enabling people of all ages to live with purpose, independence, and dignity through the everyday activities that they value most.
Occupational therapy is, at its heart, about action and making tangible changes in people’s lives. The profession is practical, person-centred, and embedded in real-world contexts. Every day, occupational therapists across hospitals, schools, workplaces, and communities demonstrate how occupational therapy interventions translate into meaningful impact.
For children and young people, Occupational Therapy in Action may involve supporting a child with developmental coordination disorder to develop fine motor skills that enable them to hold a pencil, tie shoelaces, or participate in classroom activities. It may also involve creating sensory-friendly strategies that enable a young person with autism to manage transitions at school and fully participate in learning and play alongside their peers. These interventions not only build skills but also nurture confidence and inclusion.
In clinical settings, occupational therapists play an equally vital role. Consider the individual recovering from a stroke who, with an occupational therapist’s guidance, learns to use adaptive equipment to dress independently or to relearn safe ways of preparing meals. Or the person with a spinal cord injury who is supported to rebuild routines, adapt their home environment, and re-engage in work or education. These are not just clinical outcomes but rather milestones that restore identity, independence, and hope.
In the community, occupational therapy takes action in a variety of diverse ways. For an adult living with long-term mental health challenges, therapy might mean learning how to structure daily routines, access employment, and reconnect with social networks. In workplaces, occupational therapists collaborate with employers to design inclusive environments and support individuals returning to work after illness or injury. Each example demonstrates how occupational therapy helps to remove barriers and unlock participation.
These examples, whether paediatric, clinical, or community-based, share a common thread in highlighting how occupational therapy empowers people to engage in the occupations that give life meaning. That is occupational therapy in action.
This week is not only a celebration but also a call to advocacy. Across the world, people continue to face barriers to accessing occupational therapy. World Occupational Therapy Week provides the profession with the opportunity to share our stories, showcase our impact, and advocate for the resources and recognition our profession deserves.
All occupational therapy practitioners and students should take this week to reflect on the power of occupational therapy practice. Share proudly about your work, and join in raising awareness of the profession. Let us celebrate together the difference that occupational Therapists make across all ages and settings and advocate for a future where occupational therapy is accessible to all who need it.
Last Updated on 24 October 2025 by HPCSA Corporate Affairs