Trauma-Informed Care In Pediatric And Adolescent Occupational Therapy: Why, When And How?

Abstract

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) impact an average of 61% of individuals in the United States today (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021). Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is a healthcare framework that acknowledges the extensive prevalence of ACES and aims to negate negative implications of ACES on health and well-being. Use of TIC within occupational therapy practice is boasted by research evidence and supported by the American Occupational Therapy Association; however, the implementation of such practices is still emerging. The purpose of this survey research is to examine how TIC is currently being implemented within pediatric and adolescent occupational therapy practice surrounding behavioral health, and whether any barriers to implementation exist. Occupational therapy practitioners across the United States will be surveyed on their current familiarity and use of TIC approaches in order to support identification of the current state of use of TIC in pediatric and adolescent occupational therapy practice.