Occupational Therapy Intervention with Children Survivors of War Evaluation of Work by Dr. Frank Kronenberg Simo-Algado, S., Mehta, N., Kronenberg, F., Cockburn, L., and Kirsh, B. (2002) Presented by: Sydney Carnevale, Kristin Caroza, Edith Feld & Sara Silverberg

Author Information Dr. Frank Kronenberg: Activist, author, and occupational therapist Co-founder of Occupational Therapy without Borders Director of Shades of Black Works in Cape Town Chairman of Grandmothers Against Poverty & Aids (GAPA) Research and work focuses how war, famine, apartheid and other global crises can affect health and occupational engagement Image retrieved from

Overview Individuals experience a variety of mental and emotional issues following the tragedy of war or traumatic experience Firm belief that occupational therapy interventions focused on prevention are critical for children impacted by war Study focused on effective treatment strategies for children who survived the Kosovo conflict

Literature Review & Background Purpose: F acilitate the emotional expression of traumatic experiences in order to prevent the development of future psychological problems in children who survived the war in Kosovo Evaluate effects of political mechanisms on the individual’s ability to engage in meaningful occupations Explores how policy can exacerbate social inequities Minimal emphasis on program implementation for individuals who reside within war torn and economically unstable countries Evaluating the need for curriculum changes to address global impact of occupational therapy

Intervention MOHO Model guided Intervention Occupational Therapy Program: Contribute to prevention of long-term psychological consequences Identify those children who have already developed further trauma for referral 6 month exploratory program

Results Use of play and constructive expression instrumental in overcoming psychosocial impact of war Importance of activities with peers Importance of natural language during play Through play children were able to ID and name emotions and understand their meaning Enabled children to identify constructive ways of expressing emotions Allowed them to recognize they are not alone

Impact of Art and Spirituality Children were able to look and find meaning in their experiences. Able to listen to themselves be listened to about their feelings. Art: Nature was a constant theme Expressed visions of hope and of the future Acted as a medium for emotional expression

Implications of Results Address spirituality in treatment and how it is affected by external factors such as war and poverty Provide resources regarding positive coping strategies and the benefits of peer support to underserved populations Modify current curriculum to include work with excluded populations, such as orphans, refugees, and children of marginalized populations Spread awareness about occupational therapy to developing countries, especially as their economic stability grows Seek funding to serve populations in areas that have no economic stability through volunteer initiative programming

Occupational Therapy in Mental Health AOTA: To support the AOTA’s centennial vision increasing emphasis will be placed on mental health treatment and prevention services for children, youth, the aging, and those with severe and persistent mental illness History of Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Emerging Practice in Mental Health Depression Sensory Interventions Wounded Warriors and Veterans

Occupational Therapy without Borders There is no current program for OTs that mimics the pervasiveness of programs such as Doctors without Borders A movement focusing on bringing the knowledge and skills of occupational therapists to those individuals and communities that are affected by things such as war, famine, apartheid, and disease. Links philosophy with practice examples of engaging people in ADLs and IADLs as a means of enabling them to transform their own lives rather than remain dependent and marginalized Looks at the social and political mechanisms that influence people’s access to useful and meaningful occupations

OT Programs Abroad Projects Abroad: Cambodia Kenya Morocco South Africa Vietnam Check out the link for more info: healthcare/occupational-therapy/

References Kronenberg, F., Agado, S.S., & Pollard, N. (2005). Occupational therapy without borders - Volume 1. Italy: Elsevier Projects Abroad. Occupational therapy internships in Cambodia. Retrieved from therapy/volunteer-cambodia/ Projects Abroad. Occupational therapy internships in Kenya. Retrieved from therapy/volunteer-kenya/ Projects Abroad. Occupational therapy internships in Morocco. Retrieved from therapy/volunteer-morocco/ Projects Abroad. Occupational therapy internships in South Africa. Retrieved from therapy/volunteer-south-africa/ Projects Abroad. Occupational therapy internships in Vietnam. Retrieved from therapy/volunteer-vietnam/