Best Practice Occupational Therapy For Children And Families In Community Settings

Providing services in community based settings is important when applying the principles of oocupational therapy. The occupational therapist is concerned with the daily life of the client - only community settings truly reflect daily life. When children are clients, occupational therapists must recognize the community that surrounds them - parents, siblings, friends, teachers, etc. This book focuses on best practice occupational therapy within the context of this wider community. Best practices are a professional's decisions and actions based on knowledge and evidence that reflect the most current and innovative ideas available. The text addresses the best practice philosophy for community services for children and families. Chapters cover the structure of best practice programmes, clinical reasoning for best practice services, using conceptual frameworks and practice models, the best practice occupational therapy assessment, designing services for children and families, and proper documentation. Case studies are also included for applying best practices in early intervention and public school services.

This textbook explores recent theoretical models that enable occupational therapists to practice and interact with families in a more holistic and occupation-centered manner. It offers the latest information on viewing the broader contexts of environment and family in order to meet diverse occupational needs in a range of settings. The editor presents a variety of case scenarios that feature culturally diverse populations and varying diagnoses of children with occupational needs. With contributions from 11 leaders in occupational therapy, this comprehensive text is designed to increase awareness and understanding of theoretical models and their relationship to current occupational therapy practice with today's children and families. Traditional frames of reference in pediatric practice are explored, including sensory integration and neurodevelopmental treatment. Some current theoretical models discussed include the Model of Human Occupation, the Person-Environment-Occupation model, the Ecology of Human Performance model, and the Occupational Adaptation model. The new Occupational Therapy Practice Framework is incorporated throughout the text. Overall the textbook employs a practical approach to this significant aspect of pediatric practice in occupational therapy.

Rev. ed. of: Best practice occupational therapy. c2000.

Occupation-Centred Practice with Children remains the only occupational therapy book which supports the development and implementation of occupation-centred practice with children. Drawing on the latest occupational therapy theory and research, this new edition has been fully updated throughout, and includes new chapters on occupational transitions for children and young people, assessing children’s occupations and participation, intervention within schools, the arts and children’s occupational opportunities, as well as using animals to support children’s occupational engagement. Key features: Written by an international expert team of contributors. Each chapter begins with preliminary questions to assist with consideration of current knowledge, and then reflection questions at the conclusion to allow revision of key content in order to support independent learning. Highly practical, with a range of case studies, key point summaries, reflective questions, best practice guidelines, and a range of tools, interventions and techniques to aid applications to practice. A new appendix outlining all the assessments referred to in the book has now been included. Occupation-Centred Practice with Children is a practical, theoretically grounded and evidence based guide to contemporary occupational therapy practice, and is important reading for all occupational therapy students and therapists wishing to make a real difference to children and their families’ lives.

Currently in the United States, 20% of children ages 6 years or younger live in poverty. Poor children have fewer opportunities than their peers to resources that are important for child development. At the same time, the prevalence of developmental disabilities has increased to 1 in every 6 children. Early identification of developmental delays is critical, and more than half of all American parents do not know the warning signs. Occupational therapy professionals in early intervention and preschool practice can provide the necessary services to support children's health in early childhood. This Practice Guideline explains the occupational therapy process for young children--and their families, caregivers, and teachers--which includes evaluation, intervention, and outcomes planning to enhance a child's occupational performance, adaptation, health and wellness, community participation, role competence, and self-advocacy. Topics include social-emotional development; feeding, eating, and swallowing; cognitive and motor development; service delivery; autism; obesity, cerebral palsy; and parent training. This work can help occupational therapy practitioners, as well as those who manage, reimburse, or set policy regarding occupational therapy services, understand the contribution of occupational therapy in evaluating and serving young children. This guideline can also serve as a resource for parents, school administrators, educators, and other early childhood staff.

Best Practice is a way of thinking about problems in imaginative ways and applying knowledge creatively to solve performance problems. Providing services in community based settings is vital to the best application of occupational therapy principles and beliefs. Best Practice Occupational Therapy: In Community Service with Children and Families applies theoretical and evidence based knowledge to best practice with emphasis on children and families in community settings. It emphasizes best practice, and incorporates clinical reasoning and practice models into the material. Students are provided with methods for working through the problem solving processes as they learn the material. The text introduces core principles and demonstrates how, along with OT knowledge, they can be applied to the best interests of children and families. Included throughout the book are worksheets, space for writing notes, and 10 detailed case studies illustrating the core principles and knowledge application in practice.

"Staying current on new evidence and practice across the field of early childhood can be challenging and time consuming. This comprehensive new text covers all aspects of occupational therapy in early childhood across early intervention, preschools, and health care, providing the most effective, evidence-guided practices to equip practitioners working with young children. Best Practices for Occupational Therapy in Early Childhood addresses legislative, professional, and contextual influences on providing occupational therapy to young children and their families and promotes coordination of services across settings. Chapters cover essential considerations, best practices, development, participation, family- and client-centered practices, and community partnerships" --back cover.

Of the estimated 70 million children in the United States, 6 million to 9 million have a serious emotional disturbance. However, only 1 in 5 of these children receives any professional help. Over the years, the view of children's mental health services has changed. This new thinking has altered how occupational therapy services are perceived and implemented. In addition to providing services to children diagnosed with a mental illness, occupational therapy professionals can help children develop and maintain mental health in school, community, and mental health settings. Using an evidence-based perspective and public health model, this Practice Guideline provides an overview of the occupational therapy process for mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention for children ages 3 to 21 years. It defines the occupational therapy domain, process, and interventions that occur within the boundaries of acceptable practice with this underserved population. Interventions include those for promotion, prevention, and intensive individualized care on topics such as social skills, health promotion, play/recreation/leisure, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.