REACHING UNTOUCHABLE – DEVELOPMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES IN KINDERGARTEN

Occupational therapists in Croatian preschool education (kindergartens) have not been defined by the state pedagogical standard for preschool education, so their presence is even sometimes restricted. Implementing new... [ view full abstract ]

Occupational therapists in Croatian preschool education (kindergartens) have not been defined by the state pedagogical standard for preschool education, so their presence is even sometimes restricted.
Implementing new services was a quite a multidimensional challenge so there was a need to 'find a road' which could at the same time content the services users needs while changing the 'global picture'. PEOP Model provided the framework for defining and implementing strategies for provision of occupational therapy services in the preschool education system.
Due to the fact of present need and lack of the occupational therapy services, professional organisations have produced numerous position papers and responded on public consultations. Usual strategies have not produced wanted effect, and there was a need to implement case by case strategies while gathering evidence for occupational therapy services in preschool education efficiency. Based on premise “learning through doing” and PEOP model, in a way “spontaneous strategy” was implemented in number of kindergartens. This paper will present 3 cases of occupational therapy service implementation in kindergartens in different parts of Croatia.
Data gathered by the Croatian chamber of health professionals, occupational therapy registration and licensing body, showed the raise in number of occupational therapists employed in kindergarten, but there is still not sufficient number to satisfy all the parents’ of children with disability demands.
This paper and the rest of the gathered evidence will provide a database of evidence based practices and a necessary tool for future lobbying for occupational therapy services in preschool education.