Cecilia: A 360-degree occupational therapy approach in the Italian context

Abstract

Provision of fulltime all day occupational therapy for a child with disabilities resulted in total participation of the child in everyday activities at home and at school. This case study presents the conditions and circumstances which allowed for the involvement of occupational therapists (OTs) to support this level of participation on a daily basis. In Italy where occupational therapy is still at a fledgling level, the family undertook to provide overseas training and mentoring for the OTs to work with their child. Over the period of involvement, the OTs' role was to increase the child's participation in play, feeding, leisure, social activities, dressing, self-care and hygiene. The intervention of the OT extended to training of schoolteachers and the creation with the child's teachers of a personalised education plan targeted towards the child's abilities and potential.