The History of Occupational Therapy

Lori T. Andersen, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA, received her Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Services from Springfield College, her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the Medical College of Virginia, and her Doctorate in Education from Nova Southeastern University. She has more than 15 years of experience in clinical practice and more than 20 years in academia. Her academic positions in occupational therapy have included the following: Associate Professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, Professor at Nova Southeastern University, Visiting Clinical Associate Professor at Florida International University, and Professor at Brenau University. She is now enjoying retirement, pursuing such passions as traveling and researching the history of occupational therapy.

Kathlyn (Kitty) L. Reed, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, MLIS, is Associate Professor Emeritus, School of Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman's University, Houston, Texas. She completed her basic education in occupational therapy at the University of Kansas, received a master's degree in occupational therapy from Western Michigan University, obtained a doctorate in special education from the University of Washington, and was awarded a second master's in information and library studies from the University of Oklahoma. She has been active in occupational therapy for over 50 years as a practitioner, educator, and consultant. Reed has authored several textbooks in occupational therapy and co-authored textbooks in physical therapy and speech-language pathology. She was named a fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in 1975, received the AOTA Award of Merit in 1983 and presented the Eleanor Clarke Slagle lectureship at the AOTA annual conference in 1986. She has served in the AOTA Delegate and Representative Assemblies representing three different state associations and was chair of the AOTA Ethics Commission. She is a member of the Texas Occupational Therapy Association, the World Federation of Occupational Therapists and the Society for the Study of Occupation. Her interests include tracking assessments developed by occupational therapists.