AOT order
Pronunciation: ay-oh-tee
Also written as: AOT — Assisted Outpatient Treatment
Assisted Outpatient Treatment order, a court-mandated program requiring individuals with serious mental illness to comply with community treatment.
Full Definition
AOT orders are legal mandates that compel individuals with serious mental illness to participate in outpatient psychiatric treatment as a condition of remaining in the community. Also known as outpatient commitment or mandatory outpatient treatment, AOT requires court approval and typically includes medication compliance, therapy attendance, and case management participation. These orders are designed for individuals with histories of non-compliance leading to hospitalization, incarceration, or harm to self or others. AOT serves as an alternative to repeated involuntary hospitalizations while providing structured community support.
Usage
Usage note: AOT is capitalized; may also be called Kendra's Law in New York State specifically.
In Context
- "The judge issued an AOT order requiring medication compliance and weekly therapy attendance for six months." — Legal documentation
- "AOT order compliance is monitored by the community mental health case manager and reported to the court." — Case management protocol