The play of children with disabilities: occupational therapy contribution

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the contributions of occupational therapy to promote the play of children with physical disabilities from the parents’ perspective. The research, qualitative approach was conducted in the period October-November 2014. Date were collected through an interview with the parent of children with physical disabilities. Through content analysis it was observed that parents began to enhance the play in the children’s daily life after the guidelines Occupational Therapists, recognizing its importance to child development and the evolution of the child’s treatment. Parents realized that the Occupational Therapy has created possibilities for the play of the child at home and that this has contributed to greater family interaction. The results suggest that even when therapists direct the play in order to improve children’s abilities, they contribute to ensure that teaching is part of the daily family life, enabling greater interaction between the entities.