Page "Occupational therapy" Paragraph 146

Further exploration of the relationship between occupational therapy and the components of the ICIDH-2 ( revision of the original International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps ( ICIDH ); later becoming the ICF ) was conducted by McLaughlin Gray.

First, the ICF is an international framework and provides an opportunity for the occupational therapy field to become better known across the globe.

Second, the ICF provides occupational therapists with a global language to describe their expertise to the larger international health care community.

The ICF uses a positive, holistic language emphasizing skills, capacities, and strengths of an individual rather than focusing on one ’ s deficits and disabilities.

This is similar to the outlook of occupational therapists.

Third, the ICF includes environmental and personal contextual factors which are incorporated into the theory behind occupational therapy.

It is important to take into consideration an individual ’ s personal, environmental, and occupational factors to develop an effective intervention.

The last notable application of the ICF to occupational therapy is the recognition of cultural patterns in occupation.

Culture has significance on an individual ’ s activities and participation and it is important to keep this in mind when treating an individual.