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Philosophical Base
of Occupational Therapy
Man is an
active being whose development is influenced
by the use of purposeful activity. Using
their capacity for intrinsic motivation, human
beings are able to influence their physical
and mental health and their social and
physical environment through purposeful
activity. Human life includes a process of
continual adaptation. Adaptation is a change
in function that promotes survival and
self-actualization. Biological,
psychological, and environmental factors may
interrupt the adaptation process at any time
through the life cycle. Dysfunction may occur
when adaptation is impaired. Purposeful
activity facilitates the adaptive process.
Occupational
Therapy is based on the belief that purposeful
activity (occupation) including its
interpersonal and environmental components,
may be used to prevent and mediate dysfunction
and to elicit maximum adaptation. Activity as
used by the therapist includes both intrinsic
and therapeutic purpose. |
