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Significance: Guaranteed free appropriate public education (FAPE) to children with disabilities, shifting schools toward inclusion.
OT Impact: Recognized OT as a “related service,” opening opportunities for therapists to work in schools and support student participation in learning and daily routines.
Later Named: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1990,further shaping pediatric OT roles.
Citation: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §1400 (1990); AOTA, 2017 -
Ayers Sensory Integration Theory (ASI) was developed by Jean Ayers and focuses on defining sensory integration, adaptive responses to sensory, sensory dysfunction, and a therapeutic approach to sensory regulation. Ayers first published her theory in 1972 but continued to adapt and revise until the early 1980s (Guardado and Sergent 2023). Occupational therapists utilize ASI through play therapy focusing on sensory motor activities (Guardado and Sergent 2023). -
The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) was developed and published in 1980 in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy by Gary Kielhofner. This model is one of the most widely used in today's practice and emphasizes client-centered practice, habituation, and motivation, as well as adapting occupation within environment. Guiding OT practitioner's intervention planning and goal setting (Park et al., 2017). -
The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) was created to provide standardized national certification for occupational therapy in the United States. NBCOT's mission is to protect the public through the validation of essential competencies for effective and safe occupational therapy practice. The NBCOT has ensured consistency in professional qualifications and increased public trust in OT services (NBCOT, 2025). -
IDEA mandated that services, such as occupational therapy, be available to all eligible students with disabilities to help them benefit from special education. With this, IDEA emphasized inclusion, transition planning, and assistive technology in a school-based setting through OT. Occupational therapists played critical roles in IEP teams, environmental modifications, and transition services for older students (AOTA, 2017; IDEA, 1990). -
Significance: Landmark civil rights law prohibiting disability-based discrimination in employment, public spaces, and transportation. OT Impact: Expanded OT roles in accessibility, advocacy, and universal design across community and workplace settings. Key Figure: Signed by President George H. W. Bush. Citation: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. §12101; AOTA, 2017 -
The COPM was developed during the years of 1986 and 1989 but was officially published by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy in 1991. A tool that is client centered and evidence based for therapists to use when measuring performance on everyday activities that may be important to clients.
Citation: Law, M., Baptiste, S., Carswell, A., McColl, M. A., Polatajko, H., Pollock, N. (2019). Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (5th ed.). CAOT Publications ACE. -
In 1994, Nova Southeastern University launched the first post‑professional OTD program, aimed at occupational therapists who already held an entry‑level degree and were practicing professionally.(George Washington University, 2006)
A few years later, Creighton University introduced the nation’s first entry‑level Doctor of Occupational Therapy. This opened the door to individuals with a bachelor’s degree (who had not yet trained in OT) to complete a full doctoral pathway and become licensed. -
The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 focused on Medicare spending limits which limited rehabilitation resources for clients of occupational therapists. Congress recognized the harmful impacts this act could cause and made some exceptions for some services such as OT, PT, and SLP.
Citation: American Physical Therapy Association. (2023). Balanced Budget Act passed. APTA Centennial Timeline. https://timeline.apta.org/timeline/balanced-budget-act-passed/