Should certified occupational therapy assistants provide occupational therapy services independently?

There is a rcsurgence of discussion concerning the accuraCl' and approrriareness of the word assi~tant in the career title Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. The dis, cussions focus on a possible title change. The rationale is th,1[ because certified occupational therapy assistants (reportedly) rrovide occupational rherapy independently. the name change would enhance the profession when certified occupational therapy assistants are the primary occuiJational rherapy service proViders in given sertlngs. Issues that need to be considcled in any discussion ahout changing the certified occupational therapy assistant title are supervision, competency. ethics, Jnd laws as they affect occupatiunal therapy practitioners when certified occupatiunal therapy assistants independc.::luly pruvide occupatiunal therar)l serviu.:s.