Our work as OTs is complex. And, sometimes it’s necessary to bounce our ideas and challenges off of fellow occupational therapy professionals.
Luckily, we are a collaborative bunch, and there are many online OT forums and communities where we can connect with like-minded peers.
Below, we list some of the most popular options for connecting with fellow OTs & OTAs.
Forums for practicing OTs and students
The OT Potential Club
Cost to join: $79/year
We are so proud of the discussions happening in the OT Potential Club. We discuss the most important new research coming out, particularly how it impacts OT practice. Every other week, we provide a written overview of a new journal article, and then the real magic happens—OTs from all over the world weigh in with their thoughts and questions on the topic. Then, the following week, we release a podcast with an expert guest, where we discuss the research we just reviewed. It’s such a fun process—and it really helps you digest new research, so I hope you will consider joining us.
WFOT’s Occupational Therapy International Online Network
Cost to join: Free
This is one of my favorite forums because it’s nicely organized, well managed, and completely free!
Per the website: “OTION is a dedicated forum, created by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, that enables occupational therapists, assistants and students from across the world to network, share ideas and communicate with the profession as a whole.”
Here are the subcategories on the forum you can follow:
- Education
- Practice
- Research
- Students
- Working in another country
- Studying in another country
- Evidence-based practice and research
AOTA’s CommunOT
Cost to join: $225/year
CommunOT is for members of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). This has been a long-standing forum—but, at the time of this writing, it appears to be down. I will keep digging into it and post any updates here.
Reddit’s Occupational Therapy Forum
Cost to join: Free
If you’re a Reddit user, definitely check out the occupational therapy subreddit. You’ll have many opportunities to get into the weeds on a variety of topics, or you can simply keep up with various conversations in and around the field of occupational therapy. One of the most popular discussions you’ll find centers around jobs and career paths.
Therapy Forum – The OT Hub
Cost to join: Free
The OT Hub is based out of the UK, but it provides free resources for OTs across the globe. I keep a free membership there, which is a requirement if and when I weigh in on their forum. Activity seems to ebb and flow, but it’s definitely worth checking out!
Forums for getting into OT school:
The Student Doctor Network
Cost to join: Free
The Student Doctor Network has a sub-forum specifically for OTD students. This is a popular place to talk about getting into an OTD program.
Occupational Therapy Forums – MedWorm
Cost to join: Free
MedWorm feels like a healthcare Reddit. This is another place to discuss getting into OT schools.
Multicultural, Diversity, and Inclusion (MDI) Networks
Ok, from what I can tell AOTA created The Multicultural Diversity & Inclusion Network in 1995. While MDI does not appear to still be an active initiative, the groups that were born out of this movement remain active. Here they are:
- National Black Occupational Therapy Caucus (NBOTC)
- Occupational Therapy Network for Native Americans (OTNA)
- Terapia Ocupacional para Diversidad, Oportunidad, y Solidaridad (TODOS) Network of Hispanic Practitioners
- (NOTPD)Asian/Pacific Heritage Occupational Therapy Association (APHOTA)
- Network of Occupational Therapy Practitioners with Disabilities and Their Supporters
- Network for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns in Occupational Therapy (The Network)
- Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity
- Orthodox Jewish Occupational Therapy Chavrusa (OJOTC)
- brOT Movement
OT Facebook Groups:
If you are a Facebook user, there are lots of groups for you to get plugged into!
Adult rehab Facebook groups
- AcuteCare4OT
- Dementia4OT
- Geri4OT
- Geriatric OT, PT, and SLP Collaborative Group
- Hands4OT
- Holistic Occupational Therapy
- Home Health SLP OT and PT Collaboration Group
- Intimacy4OT
- MH4OT
- Neuro4OT
- ONC4OT
- Ortho4OT
- Rheumato4OT
- VocRehab4OT
- Women’s Health4OT
Pediatric OT Facebook groups
OT student Facebook groups
General OT Facebook groups
- Apps4OT
- AT4OT
- Books4OT
- CPD4OT
- Entrepreneurship4OT
- Ergo4OT
- Humour4OT
- Jobs4OT
- Military4OT
- Mindfulness4OT
- Occupational Therapy Entrepreneurs
- Occupational Therapy-Forum
- Occupational Therapy Treatment Ideas and Information
- OT4OT
- OT Innovations
- OT Trader
- OT Yogi
- Pain4OT
- Reablement4OT
- Research4OT
- Role-emerging4OT
- Tech4OT
OT LinkedIn Groups
Finally, as a social media platform geared more toward professionals, LinkedIn is a great place to connect with your fellow OT professionals. Here are the groups I’m a part of:
- Neurorehabilitation
- Occupational Therapist Networking Group
- Occupational Therapists in Private Practice
- PromOTing Occupational Therapy
Conclusion
As an OT, you should never feel isolated in your work. There are 500,000+ occupational therapy professionals around the globe who share your mission. Take the time reach out and get plugged in. Your work will benefit—and it’s truly one of life’s joys to do good work with like-minded people by your side.
If we missed any online OT forums or communities, please let us know in the comments!
3 replies on “OT Forums and Communities”
Bravo on this set of resources!
HERE’S another one I know of.
A blog for OT:
https://www.myotspot.com/
Did not see S.I. on the list. I have trouble finding info and support groups for OT sensory integration practitioners. Most are sites for parents!
FYI:
Turns out that WFOT requires an individual belong to one of their registered organizations. In the United States that means AOTA membership.
Hey Devorah! Did you try to join the OTION forum? From my understanding, you do not actually have to be a member of WFOT to be part of this forum. (You are right about how their membership structure works!)