Peer-reviewed article
Exploring the occupational therapy goal-setting process with immigrant families of children with disabilities in the Australian context.
Fenn SN, Jojo N, Isbel S, Pearce C ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study explores how occupational therapists set goals with immigrant families who have children with disabilities in Australia. The research finds that the goal-setting process is complex and often shaped more by professional frameworks and system demands than by what families actually want. The study concludes that better practice requires therapists to centre immigrant families' own priorities and understand their cultural, social, and political contexts.
Key points
- The occupational therapy goal-setting process is influenced by families' culturally constructed wants, professional frameworks, and broader system demands
- Professional frameworks and system demands currently overshadow the focus on immigrant families' actual priorities
- Collaborative, relationship-focused practice requires shifting to centre the position of immigrant families
- Understanding and integrating families' wants into the occupational therapy process is essential
- Recognising families' wants helps therapists contextually position them within their cultural, social, and political context
Limitations
This is a qualitative study using grounded theory with no information provided about sample size, recruitment, or whether findings apply beyond the Australian context. The document does not describe what specific barriers immigrant families face or provide evidence that changing the goal-setting process actually improves outcomes for children.
Abstract
Introduction Collaborative relationship-focussed practice centres on the relational aspects of co-designing priorities and goals with individuals, collectives, and occupational therapists. To establish a relationship with immigrant families of children with disabilities, aligning the goals with their values and resources is essential. However, this is perceived as challenging, and there is a significant knowledge gap regarding how the goals are set in the occupational therapy process with immigrant families of children with disabilities. Objectives This study aimed to explore how immigrant families of children with disabilities contribute to and influence the occupational therapy goal-setting process. Methods This study employed a qualitative methodology using constructivist grounded theory. This methodology enabled the researcher to inductively frame theory grounded in data in an area with limited literature. Consumer and community involvement Consumers and community members were not involved in the development or undertaking of this research. Results The occupational therapy goal-setting process is complex and is influenced by families' culturally constructed wants, professional frameworks, and the demands of the broader system. Currently, the professional frameworks and demands of the system overshadow the occupational therapy goal-setting process, compromising the focus on the overarching wants of immigrant families. Conclusion Collaborative relationship-focussed occupational therapy practice involves shifting and centring the position of the immigrant families of children with disabilities. This can only be achieved by understanding and integrating families' wants into the occupational therapy process. Recognising and addressing their wants helps occupational therapists contextually position the family within their cultural, social, and political context.