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Occupational Demands Overview

Sep 15, 2025

Overview

This lecture covers how to determine object, space, and social demands in occupational therapy activities, including definitions and examples of key terms.

Object Demands

  • Tools are reusable objects that help complete an activity, like toothbrushes, keys, and scissors.
  • Supplies are items that become depleted during the activity, such as paint, paper, thread, and toothpaste.
  • Equipment refers to larger instruments or appliances, often machines or sets of objects, like refrigerators, drills, computers, and cars.
  • Properties describe aspects or qualities of objects used, such as "olive oil," "red paint," "unleaded gas," or "unscented cleaner."
  • Resources can include intangible items like money, people, transportation, and time.

Space Demands

  • Space demands are aspects of the physical environment required for the activity.
  • Examples include room size, arrangement, surface type, lighting, temperature, noise level, humidity, and ventilation.

Social Demands

  • Social demands relate to what is expected from participants, especially during group or collaborative activities.
  • They include communication rules, behavior standards, and are influenced by culture and social context.
  • The same activity may have different social rules depending on the setting.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Tools — reusable objects needed to complete an activity.
  • Supplies — items that are consumed or depleted during an activity.
  • Equipment — large machines or appliances used in activities.
  • Properties — descriptive qualities or aspects of objects involved.
  • Resources — intangible supports like money, people, or time.
  • Space Demands — physical environment factors required for an activity.
  • Social Demands — expectations and rules for interaction in activities.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Review examples of each type of demand for different activities.
  • Practice identifying object, space, and social demands in a chosen activity.