Occupational therapy helps to resolve problems that interfere with clients' ability to accomplish tasks that are important to them, such as attending to their personal needs, earning a living and enjoying leisure activities (hobbies, sports, etc.). The occupational therapist evaluates clients' functional abilities through questionnaires, tests and assessments. The occupational therapist can then compare the results obtained to the skills required to successfully carry out the specified tasks.

To help clients achieve their goals, the occupational therapist may recommend a program of activities and simulated tasks of increasing difficulty, give advice, and teach various ways of achieving results and/or suggest tools or equipment that promote self-sufficiency.

Occupational therapy can therefore provide a great deal of help to victims of road or industrial accidents who are limited in their activities, as well as people living with a more permanent handicap who want to increase their functional independence.