ABSTRACT
Bonnie Brooks (1982) encouraged members of the American Oc cupational Therapy Association to be concerned not only with the internal issues effecting the Certified Occupational Therapy Assis tant, but also with external issues and their impact upon the occupa tional therapy profession. She wrote,
With limited numbers of professionals available to meet the increase in demand for services, members must individually and collectively develop innovative strategies to deal with the constantly expanding role of occupational therapy. Role models
and studies are needed to clearly demonstrate that Registered Occupational Therapists (therapist) working effectively with Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (assistant) in a uni fied effort results in an expansion of occupational therapy ser vices and is cost effective as well. (Brooks, 1982, p. 568)
Five years later this demand for therapists has escalated. Projections for the future suggest that the demand for occupational therapy ser vices should increase well into the year 2050 (Manpower Commis sion Report, AOTA, 1986).
