Interventions: The occupational therapist teaches and the client learns or relearns

Abstract

This part of the Handbook surveys the occupational therapy learning interventions (OTIs) in which the occupational therapist’s (OT) role as a teacher (educator) of the client is explained. The learning interventions are represented in the Handbook with (1) teaching strategies in the context with degenerative diseases; (2) cognitive teaching approaches through the dialogue technique; (3) program for active learning: energy conservation; (4) psychoeducation; (5) neuromusculoskel- etal and movement-related learning: (a) programs for remediation of movement and hand gripping and (b) programs for sensory functional training; and (6) occupational rehabilitation programs. Natural and intermediary learning are introduced, and the latter is illustrated by the case of Jane. The therapeutic learning process is described. Therapeutic teaching theory approaches, such as behavioral and cognitive programs for active learning applied in clinical practice, are summarized. The various teaching facilitators or therapeutic media, such as reinforcement strategies, dialogue techniques, decision making, strategies, sharping, and mediated learning related to therapeutic teaching, are presented and exemplified with clinical use. The OT’s role in rehabilitation teamwork is presented.