Occupational therapy: Increasing engagement with outpatient services for Spanish speaking families

The demographic landscape of the U.S. is rapidly shifting, and it is anticipated that nearly one in three children will be of Hispanic origin by 2060. This demographic transformation directly impacts our practice as occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs). Currently, 52% of Spanish speaking adults report negative health care experiences and Spanish speaking families may experience significant delays in accessing occupational therapy services (Rios-Vega et al., 2025). Therefore, the role of occupational therapy in promoting culturally and linguistically responsive care is critical for supporting access to occupational therapy services for Spanish speaking families.