Occupation Science By: Timothy Dwyer

The History of Occupational Science Founded in 1989 by Elizabeth June Yerxa (on left). Since 1989, the research Occupational Science as grown worldwide.

What is Occupational Science? The study of a human as an occupational being, centering around how human beings realize their sense of meaning through occupation. It is a way of bringing together many different strands of OT knowledge and skills to make a clear explanation of how and why people act in everyday situations. Occupational Science is not a single theory, model, or frame of reference, but it is a social science. Its does not belong to any one group of people.

Key Terms Occupation- chunks of culturally & personally meaningful activity that humans engage in which can be named in the lexicon of the culture. Includes sexual, social, and spiritual activity. Adaptation- a process of selecting & organizing activities to improve life opportunities & enhance quality of life according to the experience of individuals or groups in an ever-changing environment. Play- intrinsically motivated activity in which the experience is pleasurable.

The Relationship of Occupational Science to OT The knowledge about occupation is the key link between OT and Occupational Science. Occupational Science places great value on all experiences of life.

The 3 Forms of Occupation Form of occupation –Focuses on the observable occupations. Ex. Occupational performance. Function of occupation –Ways in which occupations serve adaptation. Ex. Any behavior that promotes health and well-being. Meaning of occupation –Occupations that have significance in a person’s live and culture. Ex. Baby showers.

2 Concepts of Adaptation Adaptive strategies –Are sequences of actions that improve life opportunities or enhance the quality of life. Adaptive systems (person-centered) –Includes activities in all domains of life.

Importance of Play A behavior is more playful if it is voluntary, pleasurable, relaxing, and improvisational. Play should not be forced on people, rather they should play for the pure enjoyment. A way of increasing playfulness in a child is by making a variety of toys and objects readily available.

Play continued By placing a child into his/her home environment, it will increase playfulness. Play is a main component for integrating multiple developmental skills. Play and work are on opposite sides of a continuum in the Occupational Science model.

Applications Occupational Science applies to every kind of disease from infancy to the elderly. The main application is that a clinician must listen to the patients to find out what interests them. The therapist must use the patient’s interests to aid in assessment and to make it easier to work with the patient.

Research Susan Knox studied the demographics of a family. Sheama Krishnagiri completed a study on how mate selection can be defined as an occupation.

References Clark, Florance & Zemke, Ruth (1996). Occupational Science. The Evolving Discipline. F.A. Davis Company. Philadelphia. Wilcock, Ann A. Occupational Science: The key to broadening horizons. British Journal of Occupational Therapy. August Yerxa, Elizabeth J (2000). Occupational Science: A Renaissance of Service to Humankind Through Knowledge. Occupational Therapy International. London.

Unique Elements Occupational Science is the study of a human as an occupational being, centering on how human beings realize their sense of meaning through occupation. Occupational Science is not based on any one group of people. Three forms of occupation are the form, function, and meaning of occupation. Adaptive systems and Adaptive strategies are the two components of adaptation. Play is the main assessment tool for Occupational Science. The model is relatively new and requires more research in order for it to become a Conceptual Practice Model.