AOTA Official Documents
Official Documents help define, guide, and advance the occupational therapy profession. Developed and approved through the Representative Assembly, these resources provide direction on professional standards, positions, and policies that inform practice, education, advocacy, and professional leadership. They serve as foundational resources for occupational therapy practitioners, students, educators, researchers, and volunteer leaders.
Official Documents: Review and Approval Process
The Representative Assembly (RA) is responsible for developing, reviewing, and approving the profession's Official Documents. These resources help guide occupational therapy practice, education, advocacy, and professional leadership, ensuring members have access to current, relevant, and authoritative information.
The RA regularly reviews its Official Documents to ensure they remain current, relevant, and reflective of the profession and the work of the RA. This Standard Operating Procedure outlines the process used to develop, review, revise, archive, and approve Official Documents, providing a consistent approach to maintaining the RA's body of work.
The links below (with a few exceptions) are the document version of record as published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy.
Guidance Documents (previously Guidelines)
Guidance documents provide comprehensive perspective and guidance on topics that shape advancement of the profession and its future direction.
Position Statements (previously Position Papers and Statements)
Position statements present an official stance on the provision of services, practice of occupational therapy, or role of occupational therapy. They are developed in response to a professional issue, concern, or need.
Obesity and Occupational Therapy (rescinded 2021)
Professional Standards (previously Standards)
Professional standards describe and define minimal standards for practice, continued competence, and other professional behaviors.