Occupational Performance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Occupational Performance - Essay Example It also tries to explain why the impairment could cause difficulties and the consequences for the individuals of these difficulties and finds ways in which these difficulties might be reduced or overcome. Occupational performance can be defined as the ability of a person to perform tasks for the purpose of carrying out her/his occupational roles in a satisfying manner. The importance of analyzing functional performance is of crucial importance to occupational therapy. The assessment of an individual's / group or populations' level of functioning is very important in planning an occupational therapy for an individual. Occupational therapists take into account the many types of occupations humans might engage, sort them into categories called 'areas of occupation' Let's look at the various performance roles first: Occupational performance roles are patterns of behavior in different kinds of occupation in ones daily life i.e. self-maintenance, productivity, leisure and rest. The roles are determined by individual's physical, mental and spiritual conditions and her/his relationship with external environment. Biomechanical components refer to the operation and interaction of and between physical structures of the body during task performance. This can include range of motion, muscle strength, grasp, muscular and cardiovascular endurance, circulation, elimination of body waste. From the perspective of the task or sub-task, this component refers to the biomechanical attributes of the task; for example, size, weight, dimension and location of objects. Sensory-Motor Performance Component refers to the operation and interaction of and between sensory input and motor responses of the body during task performance. Cognitive Performance Component: refers to the operation and interaction of and between mental processes used during task performance. Intrapersonal Performance Component: refers to the operation and interaction of and between internal psychological processes used during task performance. Interpersonal Performance Component refers to the continuing and changing interaction between a person and others during task performance that contributes to the development of the individual as a participant in society. Elements of Occupational Performance are the body, mind and spirit. The Occupational Performance Model (Australia) acknowledges that together these core elements of human existence form the human body, the human brain, the human mind, the human consciousness of self and the human awareness of the universe (Popper, 1981) Body Element: The tangible physical components of human structure consists the body element. Mind Element: the basic intellectual component of an individual is called the Mind element Spirit Element: is defined loosely as that aspect of humans which seeks a sense of harmony within self and between self, nature, others and in some cases an ultimate other; seeks an existing mystery to life; inner conviction; hope and meaning.As stated earlier the areas on which occupational performances are observed are Self-maintenance, productivity, leisure and rest. Self-Maintenance Occupations are regular tasks and sub-tasks done by an