An autistic child who needs play therapy, an older person with arthritis, or a stroke victim who has lost basic motor skills—these are just a few types of clients who would be seen by an occupational therapist (OT). As an OT you'll play a critical role in helping people learn or re-learn how to do basic tasks needed for living and working. Like any therapist, you'll evaluate patients, design a treatment plan, and monitor their progress. Occupational therapists might also visit homes or workplaces to figure out how physical spaces might be rearranged to help suit someone's needs. Some patients have severe physical limitations, so progress can be slow. But knowing that you're helping people gain independence in their daily lives is incredibly fulfilling. And if you decide to work with children, it's hard to imagine a more rewarding challenge than helping kids build the skills they need to succeed academically and socially.