Occupational therapy in early intervention and early childhood special education

Abstract

Young children with disabilities and their caregivers often face multiple challenges as they engage in everyday life, and occupational therapists provide vital services to help address these and other challenges by focusing on goals related to participation in daily life activities and routines, collaborating with others, and providing resources and other supports to family members and teachers. OTs working in early childhood settings make use of a holistic assessment process that considers the child, family, and other caregivers, the activities and routines that comprise the child’s day, and the environments in which the child and family participate. Goals are then established based on family priorities, child strengths and needs, and assessment results. The OT designs individualized intervention plans that incorporate relevant research evidence, the therapist’s clinical reasoning, understanding of the child and family situation, and input from the child’s parents, teachers, and other professionals. Core philosophies regarding family-centered care, evidence-based practice, theory-based practice, and the importance of occupation and social participation for health and quality of life, all form the foundation for the work of OT in early childhood/early intervention. This chapter provides an overview of the domain, process, and principles of OT practice with very young children and their caregivers, and includes challenges and future directions for growth for OTs in this practice setting.