Children With Disabilities and Their Parents' Views of Occupational Participation Needs

Abstract

This study explored the views of six children with motor skill challenges and of their parents regarding occupational participation needs. Each participant completed the Child Occupational Self-Assessment (COSA) and then took part in separate focus groups for parents and children. Four themes emerged: issues related to academics, the child's future, support systems, and social participation. COSA results indicated discrepancies between parents' and children's views of occupational competency and value of occupations. Implications for occupational therapy intervention are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Child Occupational Self-Assessment
• client-centered
• Model of Human Occupation
• participation

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank the following individuals who made this project possible: Dr. Gary Kielhofner, Dr. Renee Taylor, Jessica Kramer, Michelle Gentry, David Stwarka, and clinicians from the Community Occupational Therapy Clinic (Biddeford, Maine): Molly Walrath, Caryn Birstler, Ann M. Altavilla, Sheilalee Fraser, Barbara Steva, and Nancy Blair. The authors would like to acknowledge the children and families who participated in this study and gave so freely of their time.

Notes

Key: C = Child, P = Parent, M = Mother, F = Father, C6∗ = missing one item.

Note. P4 and P5 represent one parent reporting on her two children.

Key: C = Child, P = Parent, M = Mother, F = Father, C6∗ = missing two items.

Note. P4 and P5 represent one parent reporting on her two children.

This study was conducted to complete the requirements for Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of New England. The authors, with the exception of Jane Clifford O'Brien, were graduate students during the completion of this study.