Social occupational therapy: conversations about a Brazilian experience

Researchers and practitioners worldwide have advocated for the development of critical perspectives in occupational therapy to examine the structural influences of social exclusion and injustice experienced by individuals, groups, and communities. To take action against social exclusion and injustice, Brazilian occupational therapists have been developing "social occupational therapy," referring to practice that is focused on social issues and funded outside the health system.

This paper presents a Brazilian perspective on the concept and practice of social occupational therapy. Illustrations are drawn from 12 studies, developed between 2008 and 2013, which were completed with socially vulnerable youth through an ongoing university-community engagement partnership in São Carlos, São Paulo State, Brazil.

The authors discuss possibilities and challenges for developing a socially committed, transformative occupational therapy outside the health system.

Occupational therapists may wish to seize opportunities to address social issues and attract funding beyond health services.