*2.4.1. Domain*

**2. Occupational therapy**

4 Occupational Therapy - Therapeutic and Creative Use of Activity

**2.2. Occupational therapy**

to one's own health and well-being [3].

through engagement in occupation(s) [1].

**2.3. Occupation**

Occupational therapists are part of the rehabilitation team for persons with injury, illness,

Occupational therapy has been described as the art and science of helping people do the dayto-day activities that are important and meaningful to their health and well-being through engagement in valued occupations [1]. Occupational therapy draws on the centrality of occupations to daily life. It is concerned with helping clients engage in all the activities that occupy their time, enable them to construct identity through doing, and provide meaning throughout their lives [2]. As a part of the therapy provided, the client, group or population is expected to engage in meaningful occupation(s). Occupational engagement is the capacity to contribute

Ultimately, OT professionals (occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants) help people of all ages participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Unlike other professions, occupational therapy helps people function in all of their environments (e.g., home, work, school, community, virtual) and addresses the physical, psychological, and cognitive aspects of their well-being

In exploring occupational therapy (OT) and its role in the treatment of individuals with an ASD, time must be spent defining the term occupation. Historically, the term *occupation* was defined as the way in which people use or occupy their time [4]. Yerxa, one of the founders of occupational science, more recently defined occupation as the "specific chunks of activity within an ongoing stream of behavior which are named in the lexicon of the culture…. These daily pursuits are self-initiated, goal directed (purposeful) and socially sanctioned" ([5], p. 5). Other occupational therapy scholars have described occupation as everything people do to occupy themselves, including looking after themselves (self-care), enjoying life (leisure) and

contributing to the social and economic fabric of their communities (productivity) [6].

Occupations occur throughout the lifespan, in context, and are influenced by the interplay among client factors (capacities characteristics and beliefs of the person), performance skills (goal directed actions), and performance patterns (habits, routines, and roles). Occupations occur over time; have purpose, meaning, and perceived utility to the individual; and can be observed by others (e.g. writing one's name) or known only to the person involved (e.g. morning grooming routine). Occupations can involve the execution of multiple activities for completion and result in various outcomes. The broad range of occupations are categorized by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) into activities of daily living

and/or disability. The primary goal of OT is to promote functional independence.

**2.1. Introduction**

The domain of occupational therapy practice is heavily influenced by AOTA's Occupational Therapy Practice Framework [1] and the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning [8]. The domain of occupational therapy includes the areas of occupation: activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, rest and sleep, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. The domain also encompasses aspects of functioning that impact occupational performance. According to AOTA, these aspects include performance skills (motor skills, process skills, and social interaction skills), performance patterns (habits, routines, rituals, and roles) and context/environment (cultural, personal, physical, social, temporal, and virtual) [1].

### *2.4.2. Process*

The occupational therapy process involves the actions and reasoning of practitioners which are used to provide services that focus on the client's participation and performance in daily occupations. The occupational therapy process is designed to be holistic in nature capturing the client as the individual, his or her family, and other supports, while at the same time taking into consideration the individual's interaction with the physical, social and attitudinal contexts of function [1]. The process may be direct 1:1, group, and/or consultative in delivery, with the aim to create opportunities for optimal health, well-being, and lifelong engagement in occupations [1].

The evaluation aspect of the process includes gathering, interpreting and synthesizing information that is relevant to the client's past and current engagement and performance in meaningful occupations (ADLs, IADLs, play, etc.), in addition to his or her desired goals and priorities for the short and long term future [1]. Furthermore, the evaluating therapist assesses the barriers and supports that impact the client's health, well-being, and participation.
