TRENDS IN OT PRACTICE Appreciating how Slagle Lectures have fostered common themes and trends in the OT profession today

Once Upon A Time… Eleanor Clarke Slagle is the best-known founder of the profession of occupational therapy Lecture award is given each year by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Highest scholarly honor awarded in our profession. Slagle Lectures – provide history of relevant themes, research, and prominent members of the OT family since 1955.

Who’s Who in OT? Refer to Table 1-1: Slagle Lectures and Themes 1986 to 2004 (Cole & Tufano, 2008) These most recent 15 award recipients help us to understand the many theoretical and pragmatic changes faced by occupational therapists today

UP, UP, AND AWAY… from a predominant medical model practice TREND – COMMUNITY PRACTICE

The Whole Picture Becoming holistic means becoming less reductionistic (e.g., medical model) TREND – HOLISM

What’s Occupation Got To Do With It? Occupations are more than activities! TREND – REDEFINING OCCUPATION

Brain Power Increase in research & technology concerning cognition, sensation, & neuroscience TREND – NEUROSCIENCE IS THE COMMON DENOMINATOR FOR ALL HUMAN BEHAVIOR

TREND – OCCUPATIONAL SCIENCE Getting Disciplined A new theory was discovered that describes the form, function, & meaning of occupation – called an academic discipline (founded at USC) TREND – OCCUPATIONAL SCIENCE

TREND – EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE Prove It! Healthcare demands evidence to support that OT really works. TREND – EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE

TREND – ADAPTATION PROCESS IN CONTEXT OF CULTURE & COMMUNITY Just Adapt! New emphasis on adaptation of the environment as a critical role for OT practice TREND – ADAPTATION PROCESS IN CONTEXT OF CULTURE & COMMUNITY

TREND – CLIENT CENTERED PRACTICE The Client Knows Best Empowering & respecting the client as a consumer who has choices, resources, & knows what he wants from life TREND – CLIENT CENTERED PRACTICE

What’s Next? OT in the 21st Century World Health Organization’s revision of its classification system (WHO, 2001) OT Practice Framework (AOTA, 2002) OT’s practice within the community Increase in student enrollment Increase in the job market.