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Emerged as a Profession in 1917
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Occupational Therapy responds to needs during WWI.
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The Mississippi School of Occupational Therapy
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American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is Established
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The Pledge and Creed for Occupational Therapists is adopted
precursor to today's code of ethics. -
Five schools are accredited jointly by AOTA and AMA
Boston School of Occupational Therapy (now Tufts University); St. Louis School of Occupational and Recreational Therapy (now Washington University School of Medicine); Western Michigan University; Philadelphia School of Occupational Therapy; Milwaukee-Downer College (now Lawrence University), and University of Toronto. -
Winifred Conrick Kahmann became the first registered OT to become AOTA president.
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The World Federations of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) is established.
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AOTA assumes responsibility for and adopts educational standards for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants
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St. Catherine University offered the first Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program
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The AOTA Executive Board adopts an official definition of occupational therapy.
“the art and science of directing man’s response to selected activity to promote and maintain health, to prevent disability, to evaluate behavior, and to treat or train patients with physical or psycho-social dysfunction.” -
A doctorate in occupational science is offered
University of Southern California’s Occupational Therapy Department. AOTA establishes the Terry Brittell COTA/OTR Partnership Award, which honors “an OTA and an OT who, through their collaborative efforts to promote the profession of occupational therapy, exemplify the professional partnership.” -
Occupational therapy is recognized as a core discipline for working with persons with genetic conditions on the basis of NIH funding.
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AOTA celebrates 100 years of the association and the OT profession! 2010s Important events in the history of the occupational therapy profession.