Should choice be a component in occupational therapy assessments?

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• Psychology
• Performance assessment

Background:

• Client autonomy and control are recognized factors influencing performance in therapeutic and psychological contexts.
• Existing literature in occupational therapy and psychology suggests a link between choice and improved outcomes.
• The role of client-centered approaches in assessment is increasingly important.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the impact of allowing clients to choose activities for evaluative purposes.
• To review existing research on the effects of choice and control on performance.
• To present the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills as an instrument incorporating client choice.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on choice, control, and performance in occupational therapy and psychology.
• Description of the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) methodology.
• Presentation of a study investigating client performance during AMPS with and without activity choice.

Main Results:

• Studies indicate that choice or control can lead to improved performance.
• The Assessment of Motor and Process Skills inherently values client choice in task selection.
• Empirical data demonstrates that client-selected activities enhance performance during the AMPS process.

Conclusions:

• Incorporating client choice into evaluative activities is beneficial for performance.
• The Assessment of Motor and Process Skills effectively integrates client choice.
• Future assessments should consider client autonomy as a key factor for valid performance measurement.