Knowledge Check #9

The profession of occupational therapy has seen many changes since its official beginning in 1917. Phrasing, approaches, and education requirements in the profession have all changed or been adapted to reflect the client-centered mentality of the profession. However, some things that have not changed are the types of occupations clients are engaging in. Many occupations have been added as time has progressed but we still see the same basic needs being represented, one of which is feeding oneself. Food is essential to everyday living and it is important for people to be able to feed themselves. From an early age as human beings we are progressively taught to feed ourselves in hopes to be one day fully self-sufficient. It is an important aspect of one's independence to be able to meet this basic need themselves. Occupational therapists have been working for years with clients on relearning how to feed themselves. They have done this through adaptive approaches but also used feeding as a goal to help clients regain their independence. Being able to feed oneself can give a client a sense of empowerment because it allows them to meet one of their basic needs themselves.