Development and Occupation

Catalog description

The Development and Occupation course offers a comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationship between development and occupational engagement across the lifespan. This course integrates the threads of health, wellness, and the OT process with scholarship and professional reasoning, providing students with a robust framework to understand typical and atypical developmental trajectories. Students will examine frameworks of typical development, learning to assess developmental milestones and the complexity of occupation within various contexts. Through interdisciplinary perspectives, the course emphasizes the influence of cultural factors on occupation, encouraging students to consider how diverse backgrounds shape individual experiences and developmental outcomes. By engaging the role of occupational science, students will gain insights into the foundational theories that inform practice and enhance their understanding of how occupation contributes to overall well-being. The curriculum fosters critical thinking and evidence-based practice, enabling students to apply their knowledge in assessments and interventions tailored to clients’ developmental needs. Through a blend of theoretical learning and practical application, students will be equipped to support clients in achieving meaningful occupational engagement throughout their lives, advocating for health and wellness in diverse populations.