occupationbased

Occupation-based, often written with a hyphen as "occupation-based," refers to an approach in occupational therapy and related rehabilitation disciplines that uses the individual's meaningful daily occupations—such as self-care, work, education, and leisure—as the primary medium for assessment, intervention, and outcomes. The aim is to improve occupational performance and participation in real-life contexts rather than focusing only on discrete impairment or isolated tasks.

Key characteristics include client-centered goals, context-specific tasks, and the use of actual environments (home, school, workplace). Interventions are tailored to the person’s interests, roles, and routines, and typically progress from easier, graded tasks to more complex activities. The approach emphasizes engagement in meaningful activities as the vehicle for learning and adaptation.

Differences: This approach contrasts with activity-based interventions that use simulated tasks or exercises detached from meaningful daily routines; occupation-based practice emphasizes meaningful engagement and functional outcomes in natural contexts.

Assessment and tools: COPM (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure), CMOP-E (Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement), MOHO-based assessments, observational analyses of activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and participation measures. Interventions may involve task adaptation, environmental modifications, coaching, and supports for community integration.

Applications and settings: hospitals, clinics, schools, community-based programs, and home health. Occupation-based approaches are central to many occupational therapy practice frameworks and are supported by evidence linking participation in meaningful occupations to improved quality of life and functional independence. Limitations include resource constraints and safety considerations in real-world environments.