Section 43-28-3. Definitions

   As used in this chapter, the term:

   (1) "Association" means the Georgia Occupational Therapy Association.

   (2) "Board" means the State Board of Occupational Therapy.

   (3) "License" means a valid and current certificate of registration issued by the division director.

   (4) "Occupational therapist" means a person licensed to practice occupational therapy as defined in this chapter and whose license is in good standing.

   (5) "Occupational therapy" includes but is not limited to the following:

      (A) Evaluation and treatment of individuals whose abilities to cope with the tasks of living are threatened or impaired by developmental deficiencies, the aging process, learning disabilities, poverty and cultural differences, physical injury or disease, psychological and social disabilities, or anticipated dysfunction. The treatment utilizes task oriented activities to prevent or correct physical, cognitive, or emotional deficiencies or to minimize the disabling effect of these deficiencies in the life of the individual;

      (B) Such evaluation techniques as assessment of sensory motor abilities, assessment of the development of self-care activities and capacity for independence, assessment of the physical capacity for prevocational and work tasks, assessment of play and leisure performance, and appraisal of living areas for persons with disabilities; and

      (C) Specific occupational therapy techniques, such as activity analysis, activities of daily living skills, the fabrication and application of splints and adaptive devices, sensory motor activities, the use of specifically designed manual and creative activities, guidance in the selection and use of adaptive equipment, specific exercises and physical agent modalities to enhance physical functional performance, work capacities, and treatment techniques for physical capabilities and cognitive retraining. Such techniques are applied in the treatment of individual patients or clients, in groups, or through social systems.

   (6) "Occupational therapy aide" means a person who assists the occupational therapist and the occupational therapy assistant in the practice of occupational therapy and who works under the direct supervision of the occupational therapist.

   (7) "Occupational therapy assistant" means a person licensed to assist the occupational therapist in the practice of occupational therapy under the supervision of or with the consultation of the licensed occupational therapist and whose license is in good standing.

   (8) "Person" means a natural person only, not a legal entity.

   (9) "Physical agent modalities" means treatment techniques which utilize heat, light, sound, cold, electricity, or mechanical devices and also means electrical therapeutic modalities which induce heat or electrical current beneath the skin, including but not limited to therapeutic ultrasound, galvanism, microwave, diathermy, and electromuscular stimulation, and also means hydrotherapy.

Ga. L. 1976, p. 993, § 3; Ga. L. 1991, p. 379, §§ 1, 2; Ga. L. 1994, p. 97, § 43; Ga. L. 1995, p. 1302, § 15; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1706, § 19.