Thanks to the grant program “Civil Society Organizations Act for Better Social Services,” funded by the European Union, co-financed and implemented by the Soros Foundation Moldova in partnership with Keystone Moldova and Institutum Virtutes Civilis, the Tony Hawks Center Foundation had the opportunity to develop and implement a new service in the Republic of Moldova – Occupational Therapy. This service is based on a unique theoretical and practical foundation, and it is essential for this foundation to be cultivated right from the start at relevant academic institutions.
This service is intended for all individuals who wish, need, or are expected to do something useful, to be of service to themselves and society, but encounter barriers in achieving performance in their tasks and activities.
In 2022, five specialists from the Tony Hawks Center were introduced to the field of Occupational Therapy, including the involvement of Professor Marinela Rață, the President of the Occupational Therapy Association in Romania.
During this period, over 80 children have been evaluated and assisted, and they have been involved in occupational therapy programs tailored to their individual needs and capabilities.
Each beneficiary was assessed using the COPM (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure), the first tool in this field that is centered on the beneficiary, emphasizing the individual’s person, occupation, skills, and environment.
After participating in the 18th World Congress of Occupational Therapy, the team of specialists expanded their set of specific tools through PREP, an instrument for implementing the desires discovered during COPM testing. Both of these instruments help the occupational therapist remain person-centered and involve any available resources to enhance the individual’s performance.
Furthermore, the practice of occupational therapy entails close collaboration between individuals, families, and communities to improve their capacity to engage in the activities and occupations they desire or need to undertake.
At the end of the first year of practicing occupational therapy, based on the studied theoretical foundations, we can confidently affirm that the benefits are significant. This is because it revolves around the participation and involvement of all people in their daily lives. The slogan “Leave No One Behind” perfectly encapsulates what an Occupational Therapist does in their daily work.
We continue to learn as we go, applying what we have acquired in practice, and we hope for the day when occupational therapy will be taught at universities in our country. This would ensure that all children with special needs have unrestricted access to these services.