Education as Human Occupation

Education is a vital occupation that learners and students engage in throughout the lifespan. Education as an occupation, a personal factor, and an intervention is de scribed in the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework – 4th Edition (OTPF‑4). As an occupation, an individual may engage in education for multiple purposes that often change over time. This chapter examines internal and external factors impacting purpose and educational engagement as well as educational engagement as a social determinant of health. Assessments, mapped against components of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), are included that can be used to evaluate educational participation by occupational therapy practitioners. Applications of selected educational theories as well as oc cupational therapy practice models and frames of references are outlined to assist the reader in choosing potential educational intervention methods. A case illustra tion is provided to demonstrate the influence of education throughout the lifespan and to depict the impact of occupational therapy on educational participation and competence in daily occupations.

© 2025 selection and editorial matter, Ted Brown, Stephen Isbel, Louise Gustafsson, Sharon Gutman, Diane Powers Dirette, Bethan Collins, and Tim Barlott; individual chapters, the contributors.