Understanding A Child The Occupational Therapy Way

This book uses an occupational therapy way of thinking to guide the reader towards observing, understanding, and communicating the needs of children to foster a supportive environment. Presented in accessible, everyday language, this book takes a holistic approach of looking at a child from what makes them a unique person, what activities they are trying to accomplish, and what environment they are in. Each chapter helps readers identify, describe, and clearly articulate a different aspect of the child’s environment and how it may affect them, the way that they process different sensory inputs, what their behaviors may be telling us, and how they learn. By recognizing each child’s unique story and effectively communicating their story to others, the reader can identify the most effective ways to support a child to meet a child’s needs and set them up for success. Therapists, educators, parents, and childcare workers will all benefit from the simple strategies outlined in this book to enrich a child’s learning.

Occupational Therapy with Children draws on contemporary research to examine children’s roles, their occupations and the skills which underpin their ability to participate in society. The book will develop the occupational therapist’s understanding of how to optimise the participation of children in the various environments in which they are required or choose to engage. Occupational Therapy with Children maintains a developmental perspective and incorporates child-centred interventions to improve performance deficits. Section one examines children’s roles and occupations in contemporary society at a broad level. Coverage includes the child’s participation in the family, at school and in the community. This section considers environmental influences on childhood activities, and highlights children’s changing occupational time use and the impact this has on health and wellbeing. Section two focuses on childhood as a period of significant development and skill acquisition. This is profiled as a dynamic period for the therapist to encourage occupational mastery across the spectrum of childhood experience: in play; in self-care; as a student; and beyond the school grounds. Topical chapters evaluate participation in physical activity and consider the potential for ‘healthy’ leisure, along with the risk characteristics associated with certain approaches to leisure. Occupational Therapy with Children is aimed at students and practitioners of occupational therapy. Other childhood professionals, particularly early childhood educators, will also appreciate the articulate approach this book takes towards the development of the child. Highly illustrated with contemporary photographs, drawings and succinct tables Includes case studies; providing worked examples of therapeutic applications Draws on the World Health Organisation International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to frame the concept of children’s occupations and societal participation Responsive to developments in occupational science Expert contributors provide international perspectives From the Foreword by Professor Charles Christiansen, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston [Occupational therapists] will find that this book provides a framework that makes planning effective therapy with children practical, relevant, and effective . . . [Rodger & Ziviani’s] contribution to the literature has helped unleash the genie of occupation in the service of improved therapy with children.

A useful practical guide for professionals, parents, teachers and other caregivers. It presents detailed assessment tools as well as consistent strategies for managing challenging behavior. Successful sensory integration techniques include ... advice for a wide range of specific problems ... for adapting home, school, and childcare environments ... [and] creative suggestions for activities, equipment, and resources.

The practice of OT continues to be influenced by greater awareness of the needs of children with disabilities, expansion of the theory and practice of psychology, medical science and occupational therapy, and the impact of twentieth century technology on the diagnosis, care and treatment of children. This book has been written to present current principles and practice underlying Occupational Therapy intervention with children. It is designed for use by students and newly-qualified occupational therapists. However, other professionals in education and social care, and parents, may also find it of value to gain an understanding of the role of Occupational Therapy with children.

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.

Activity Analysis, Creativity and Playfulness in Pediatric Occupational Therapy: Making Play Just Right is a unique resource on pediatric activity and therapy analysis for occupational therapists and students. This text provides useful information on planning creative and playful activities within therapy sessions. This resource contains case studies, activity worksheets and a DVD.

At the heart of Making Play Just Right: Unleashing the Power of Play in Occupational Therapy is the belief that the most effective way to ensure pediatric occupational therapy is through incorporating play. The Second Edition is a unique resource on pediatric activity and therapy analysis for occupational therapists and students. This text provides the background, history, evidence, and general knowledge needed to use a playful approach to pediatric occupational therapy, as well as the specific examples and recommendations needed to help therapists adopt these strategies.