Occupational Therapy (OT) is the scientific study of how people participate in the meaningful activities and everyday tasks they need, want, or are expected to do. Occupational therapists examine everything about human engagement, from basic physical and cognitive abilities to environmental factors, habits, and routines. They help people of all ages adapt, recover, or build skills to live more independently, whether that means returning to work, succeeding in school, managing a household, or improving mental and physical well-being through purposeful activity.