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

Image retrieved from www.aptocam.org

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

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: Facilitate 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 individuals 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: http://www.aota.org/practice/mental-health.aspx
To support the AOTAs 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 peoples
access to useful and meaningful occupations

OT Programs Abroad
Projects Abroad:
Cambodia
Kenya
Morocco
South Africa
Vietnam
Check out the link for more info:
http://www.projects-abroad.org/volunteer-projects/medicine-andhealthcare/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
http://www.projects-abroad.org/volunteer-projects/medicine-and-healthcare/occupationaltherapy/volunteer-cambodia/
Projects Abroad. Occupational therapy internships in Kenya. Retrieved from
http://www.projects-abroad.org/volunteer-projects/medicine-and-healthcare/occupationaltherapy/volunteer-kenya/
Projects Abroad. Occupational therapy internships in Morocco. Retrieved from
http://www.projects-abroad.org/volunteer-projects/medicine-and-healthcare/occupationaltherapy/volunteer-morocco/
Projects Abroad. Occupational therapy internships in South Africa. Retrieved from
http://www.projects-abroad.org/volunteer-projects/medicine-and-healthcare/occupationaltherapy/volunteer-south-africa/
Projects Abroad. Occupational therapy internships in Vietnam. Retrieved from
http://www.projects-abroad.org/volunteer-projects/medicine-and-healthcare/occupationaltherapy/volunteer-vietnam/