AOTA Official Documents
These documents are used by AOTA and its members to guide education, practice, advocacy, and policy on behalf of the profession.
About Official Documents
- Official documents and professional policies are approved by the Representative Assembly.
- Official documents undergo scheduled review and approval by the Representative Assembly Coordinating Committee (RACC)*.
- These documents are used by the Association and its membership to guide education, practice, advocacy, and policy on behalf of the profession.
- The documents are a valuable resource for occupational therapy practitioners and provide a solid grounding in the profession for students, consumers, and external stakeholders.
* Note: The Representative Assembly adopted the RACC Standard Operating Procedures, Attachment A at the fall online meeting in November 2020.
As a result of this motion, the types of official documents have been renamed and are categorized and described below. Official documents will remain available on the website and will be revised under new categories during their next scheduled review cycle.
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.
Professional Standards (previously Standards)
Professional standards describe and define minimal standards for practice, continued competence, and other professional behaviors.
Societal Statements
Societal statements are written in the form of public announcements and identify a societal issue of concern; state how the issue affects the participation of individuals, families, groups, or communities in society; and may offer action to be taken by individuals, families, groups, or communities.