The World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) defines occupation as “…the everyday activities that people do … to occupy time and bring meaning and purpose to life” (“Definition of Occupational Therapy”, n.d.). These activities include the things people need to, want to and are expected to do. The first categorization system of occupation was developed in 1919 by Dunton and was based on the human capacities needed to participate in the occupation – either mental or physical. Since its conception a variety of categorization systems have been developed, leading to the currently used purpose based system which organizes occupation into the categories of self-care, productivity and leisure (Townsend & Polatajko, 2013, p. 42). In this paper …show more content…
Preoccupation with the organization of human activity into these purpose based categories ignores the subjective experience of occupational engagement (Hammell, 2009b) and represents a disconnect with the profession’s focus on the client’s perspectives and meaning-making. In fact, research has shown that the ways in which client’s perceive the occupations they engage in is incongruent with the purpose based categories of self-care, productivity and leisure. In a 2004 study assessing the life experiences of individuals with complete high spinal cord injury, Hammell observed that study participants’ experience of occupation did not align with the occupational categories of self-care, productivity and leisure. Instead, the participants identified important occupational experiences such as contributing to society or performing a task with another person (Hammell, 2004). Not surprisingly, several other studies have documented similar incongruences (Hammell, 2009b, p. 108). Occupational therapy, a profession whose core centers on client-centeredness, should categorize occupation based on the ways in which it is perceived and experienced by the client. Further, it is not the function of the occupation, either allowing one to engage in self-care, be productive or participate in …show more content…
These categories also suffer limitation due to being culturally specific and therefore lacking in generalizability, hindering the professions ability to provide appropriate services to those of all cultures. In the modern world very few societies are culturally homogenous, and for the occupational therapy profession to adapt the profession’s ideology must take into consideration the values, beliefs and world-views of other cultures. One of the largest problems lies in the deeply rooted assumption within occupational therapy ideology that human activity can be categorized into three categories – self-care, productivity and leisure – and the idea that these three categories represent the purposes of all human activities. These categories reflect independence and self-reliance, concepts that are alien to those who belong to cultures whose values center on social relationships, interdependence and belonging (Hammell, 2009a). For example, Asian culture highly emphasizes and encourages children to be dependent on their parents and for parents to predict the needs of their children, while Western culture emphasizes and encourages the opposite. Individuals from collectivist societies place greater emphasis on the group and do not devalue dependence on others, while those from individualistic societies place greater emphasis on individual achievement and view
The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework defines an occupational profile as “the initial step in the evaluation process that provides an understanding of the client’s occupational history and experience, patterns of daily living, interests, values, and needs (2014).” During this process the client’s problems and concerns about daily occupations are identified then the client’s main concerns are determined (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2014). Occupational Therapists strive to be holistic and client-centered, and the occupational profile is one method to ensure treatment takes on these characteristics. During the occupational profile the clients share their priorities based on what is important to them, and the therapist
Though occupation usually refers to a job, a person’s occupation is initially determined by what their everyday life consists of. When a person becomes incapable of performing the tasks that they are expected to do in their everyday life due to developmental delays, physical injury, or psychological problems they are often referred to an occupational therapist. Occupational therapists, or OTs, usually have occupational therapy assistants, often called OTAs. The OT gives the OTA a set of objectives to help the patient achieve. Since people go through numerous occupations during the course of their lives, OT’s and OTA’s prov...
Sacket et al, cited in, Duncan, E,A,S, (2006) Foundtions for practice in Occupational Therapy, 4th edition, Elsevier Ltd.
Occupational Therapists perceive people, without discrimination, as active and creative “occupational beings” who crave engagement in activities of daily living, sequentially to maintain not merely their health but their wellbeing (COT, 2010). Occupation is a channel which directs people to better social inclusion, which in turn can result in dignity, independence, and social contribution (Waddell and Aylward, 2005) and one of the core foundations of Occupational Therapy is the necessity and value of occupations and re-engagement in occupation as an essential intervention (Ross, 2007a). Occupational Therapists who work with adults with different severities of learning disabilities experience difficulty with their everyday occupations, or activities of daily living (ADLs) and have both a clinical and a consultancy role (Lillywhite and Haines, 2010). People with a learning disability are a diverse group, and the severity of their condition can inhibit their abilities and independence (Cumella, 2013). But, how can Occupational Therapists use their professional skills to help those adults with a learning disability? How can these healthcare professionals promote their independence at home? This piece will look at the contribution of an Occupational Therapist giving an adult with a learning disability as much independence in their own locality.
Occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistances work with a wide variety of populations throughout their career. Some of these different populations can include different types of backgrounds, genders, ages, economic statuses, ethnicities, and more. While working with these populations, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistances have to be aware of different types of influences that can not only affect the client, but the client’s occupations as well. In this article, “Psychosocial Aspects of Occupational Therapy,” it discusses the different types of psychosocial aspects that are in the field of occupational therapy.
Occupational therapy was based off of psychology; we evolved from treating mentally ill patients with isolation as an efficient treatment plan. We must never forget we are known to be “the art and science of helping people do the day-to-day activities that are important and meaningful to their health and well being through engagement in valued occupations” (Crepeau, Cohn, & Schell, 2008). To other professional disciplines this article explains the difference between each of us, yet can also express our relation to one another. The basic goal of all therapeutic disciplines is to better our clients life, through physical, speech or occupational therapy. Every discipline targets different goals, may it be body mechanics, reducing a stutter or buttoning a shirt, at the end of the day our clients well being may it be through science, art or both is all that matters. To the occupational therapy field this article means progress for what we do. Reading this article today in the year 2015 did not seem like old information to me, it is still relevant, I am proud that our field is not only evolving with contemporary time but it is also maintaining its
My results for my high school career quiz displayed many careers that I did not believe were for me, however there was one that I had never heard of that sparked my interest, Occupational Therapy. At the time, I had no idea what this career consisted of, but as time went by and I participated in various volunteering opportunities and shadowed several therapists, I began to realize that this career really intrigued me. Occupational therapists assist individuals across the entire lifespan in participating in daily living activities. They work with individuals with physical and developmental disabilities, those who have previously sustained an injury and need to regain their abilities, and the elderly population who may lose the abilities to perform certain tasks. This profession contains many important responsibilities that involve aspects of social psychology including evaluating the abilities of the patient, increasing independence of patients with
Occupational therapy made its first appearance in a modern-day setting during the 18th century; however, occupational therapy dates back to 100 BC. The United States medical system adopted occupational therapy in the 19th century. In 1910, occupational therapy became a realized profession. Then, the main focus was working with individuals to get them to a fully functional state. Around 1930, standards of practice were developed for occupational therapists (OT’s). The career continues to evolve and change as new illnesses and disabilities arise. Even with all the changes, the main focus remains intact: helping people.
My inspiration to study Occupational Therapy stemmed from my participation in a residential summer school at Teesside University. This course enabled me to gain an insight into the theoretical and practical applications of an occupational therapist in a range of work based scenarios. I particularly enjoyed discovering how to apply knowledge and understanding of occupational therapy to real world situations in a contemporary practice. I also enjoyed deepening my knowledge of the challenges patients face and how occupational therapy can improve a patient’s mind-set to improve their outcomes. I also considered the importance of the setting and environment of patients to enhance the wellbeing of those who are facing physical, mental and social challenges in their everyday lives. Attending this course has furthered my practical and theoretical
A., de Rijk, A., Van Hoof, E., & Donceel, P. 2011). The therapist has to assess the patient to see if they have a need for splints or supports which may benefit the patient and then step in to help design the specific assistive devices needed. It is the job of the occupational therapist to come up with plans to overcome the inconvenient limitations while still helping the patient to reduce strain and prevent further damage by teaching them techniques that will conserve their energy. There are a variety of different ways to make daily living much easier. The most crucial part of therapy is assessing the patient's environment. All the people, cultural conditions and physical objects that are around them, create their environment. The behavior and development of people is a direct result of the interaction between them and their surroundings. A patient's behavior is greatly affected when they are mismatched with their environment. A person's environment match is present when the person's level of competence matches the demands of the environment. Full participation by the patient is required to make it practicable. “The science and practice of occupational therapy are well suited to develop, refine, and test approaches to translate therapeutic gains into
Occupational science is an emerging academic discipline which is based on the traditional values and beliefs of the occupational therapy practice as articulated by Adolph Meyer, (Yexer ,1993), (Reilly, 1962) and others. It draws on a range of theories, research methodologies and approaches in order to understand humans as occupational beings. Also, it assumes that people’s experiences in engagement in meaningful and purposeful occupations influences both performance and intrinsic motivation ( Haertl, 2007)
Kielhofner (2009) states “In the late 1940’s and the 1950s, occupational therapy came under pressure from medicine to establish a new theoretical rationale for its practice. Critiques arose from both Medicine and physicians regarding the concepts used in occupational therapy. Based on those comments, occupational realized the immediate need for a new paradigm. As Kielhofner mentioned “Occupational therapist came to believe it would bring occupational therapist recognition as an efficacious medical service and increase its scientific respectabilities
While growing up I had many ideas of what professional career I wanted to obtain, although until recent years, occupational therapy was not even a thought. It was not until my grandmother had a stroke that I even knew what occupational therapy was or entailed. I watched my grandmother participate in therapy leading her to learn how to tie her shoes again, and the things I thought were so simple as to dress herself again. It was during that time as high school graduation was approaching that I realized I wanted to be apart of that. I wanted to have a role helping others learn and exceed as she did because I seen how much joy it brought her. This experience opened my eye to the things we so often take for granted, that some people lose the ability of doing or lack the ability of doing. Throughout her journey of facing and overcoming these problems, it led me to a yearning to pursue this
My initial exposure to the field of Occupational Therapy was not until my Junior year of college. While sitting in an auditorium for an Intro to Health Professions course, listening to a licensed occupational therapist describe her daily work tasks, I began visualizing myself in her position to see if this career would be fitting for me. Because of my life long interest in science coupled with my natural empathy towards people, I had known for a long time that I wanted to be in the health field but struggled to settle with the career choices I had initially been presented. As I imagined myself being an occupational therapist, my mind began to flood with ideas and aspirations of what I could accomplish in this field using the strengths I had been developing over the past 22 years of my life
Townsend & Polatajko (2007) state that “Occupational therapy is the art and science of enabling engagement in everyday living, through occupation; of enabling people to perform the occupations that foster health and well-being; and of enabling a just and inclusive society so that all people may participate to their potential in the daily occupations of life”.