OT Role Fulfillment

The application of OT with the LGBTQ+ population can be done through a variety of roles and approaches. Below are some examples and ideas to help you envision just a few of the possibilities. 

Advocate

• Host a LGBTQ+ healthcare competency event at your organization
  
• Compose articles or create educational materials and submit to OT magazines, journals, or websites
• Share/disperse resources on social media platforms or at your facility to provide information regarding LGBTQ+ matters
• Advocate for gender-neutral bathrooms to promote inclusivity and social belongingness
  
• Advocate and request that your organization's intake paperwork include more gender options than just male and female (such as "transgender" or "other"); also that it includes more than just married and single options (such as "in a partnership")

Educator

• Include material about OT's role with LGBTQ+ population in OT curriculum
• Create CEU courses to educate about OT's role and about the needs of the LGBTQ+ population
• Be a speaker at a state or national OT conference
• As a fieldwork educator, discuss LGBTQ+ matters and considerations concerning clients with students; set the example by having LGBTQ+ resources

Entrepreneur

• Create your own consulting business to serve the LGBTQ+ population
• Write and sell a book on LGBTQ+ population and OT application
• Create and sell a phone application to facilitate the LGBTQ+ population's engagement in occupations or an education application for OT's
• Create and sell a toolkit for OT practitioners with resources regarding the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals

Leader / Administration

• Become a leader with AOTA with a focus on LGBTQ+ matters
• Create an environment for inclusivity
• Promote and provide education regarding LGBTQ+ matters
• Identify and address issues at own institution that limit the LGBTQ+ population from achieving their highest level of independence and occupational participation

Policy Developer

• Propose and advocate for OT services inclusion within federal grants at local community centers serving the LGBTQ+ population
• Support and advocate for legislation that prevents the discrimination of LGBTQ+ individuals

Researcher

• Conduct research with OT providers to identify how OT's are addressing the needs of the LGBTQ+ population
• Conduct research with the LGBTQ+ population to identify unmet needs for all realms of health and wellness

Consultant

• Create a program at a LGBTQ+ community center that addresses issues such as social participation, mental health, wellness, etc.
• Consult at businesses or healthcare centers to facilitate the creation of an inclusive environment
• See treatment ideas below 
  

Direct Service Provider

• Have LGBTQ+ resources readily available to provide to clients 
• Ask clients their name to confirm identity per protocol; then ask what they like to be called and respect their wishes
• See treatment ideas below 
  

Suggested Frameworks & Models

• Health Equity Promotion Model

• Minority Stress Model 

• Model of Human Occupation (MOHO)

• Person-Environment-Occupation Model (PEO)

• Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance Model (PEOP)

Suggested Assessments

Treatment Ideas

ADLs and IADLs

• Choosing and utilizing identity-confirming clothing and form-changing items
• Educating and practicing identity-confirming grooming practices (Shaving, hair styling, make-up, painting nails, etc.)
• Medication management (includes hormone therapy for individuals who are transgender)
• Assisting with legal document changes
  
• Assisting with identifying LGBTQ+ friendly healthcare providers and housing opportunities
• Assisting with dating and issues surrounding sexual participation/intimacy
• Assisting with religious participation

Education 

• Address gender-specific requirements for school uniforms

Play, Leisure, and Social Participation

• Host LGBTQ+ events or include LGBTQ+ representation at current events, especially at SNFs and ALFs 
• Assistance with role transitions
• Education on bullying and available resources
• Advocate for transgendered individuals participation in sports

Rest and Sleep

• Education of health benefits
• Mindfulness
• Positioning
• Relaxation techniques
• Sleep hygiene
• Sleep schedule
• Sleeping arrangements

Work and Volunteering

• Address gender-specific requirements for workplaces
• Role-play conversations for self-advocacy discussions with workplaces