Letters to the editor
Letters to the editor and other reactive methods of communication with the news media help promote a global understanding of the profession.
The profession of occupational therapy is becoming more widely recognized as a science-driven, evidence-based profession that helps people of all ages participate in the daily activities that occupy their time, due to the efforts of AOTA to proactively champion the value of occupational therapy with the media. However, sometimes occupational therapy is incorrectly portrayed in the media or omitted on a relevant topic. When that happens, AOTA responds.
If you see an inaccurate portrayal of occupational therapy in the news media, we encourage you to respond. Often times, responses from individual occupational therapy practitioners resonate more than those from an association. AOTA offers templates and talking points, and can help get you started.
Examples of letters to the editor
AOTA responds quickly to inaccurate portrayals of the profession in the news. Each time our Media Relations Team works to educate the reporter, their colleague, and the news outlet's public audience about the distinct value of occupational therapy.
AOTA responds to The New York Times article, "Let Kids Play"
AOTA's Media Relations Team responds to an omission of the breadth of occupational therapy services in an article about children and the occupation of play.
AOTA responds to The Examiner article, "Occupational Therapy: You shouldn't need a degree for that"
The Media Relations Team responds to inaccuracies about entry-level mandates, skill level, and the value of the profession overall.
AOTA Responds to NY Times Article, "The High Price of Failing America’s Costliest Patients"
The Media Relations Team explains how occupational therapy can be a solution to the high cost of health care.