Peer-reviewed article
Implementing the Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) Approach with Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Feasibility Study.
Hilly C, Lucas BR, Miller L, Wilson PH, Froude EH ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study tested whether the CO-OP approach, a method that helps children set and practice daily performance goals, could work for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Three girls aged 11-12 years completed ten weekly sessions where they chose three goals to practice and received coaching. Children and caregivers reported improvements in goal performance and satisfaction, and found the approach acceptable. The findings suggest CO-OP may help children with FASD improve their daily functioning, but larger studies are needed to confirm this.
Key points
- Three children with FASD completed CO-OP intervention with ten weekly 30-60 minute sessions
- Children reported improvements in occupational performance and satisfaction on the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure
- Caregivers and children perceived CO-OP as acceptable and valued child-chosen goals
- Caregivers identified that additional support to use CO-OP strategies at home would be beneficial
- Feasibility study provides preliminary support but evaluation with a larger sample is needed
Limitations
The study had a very small sample size (n=3 completers) with no comparison group, making it impossible to determine whether improvements were due to the intervention or other factors. The short follow-up period means it cannot tell us about lasting effects or sustainability of gains.
Abstract
Background/objectives This study examined the feasibility of the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach for improving occupational performance, satisfaction and participation in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Methods A mixed-methods descriptive case series explored nine feasibility domains (acceptability, practicality, implementation, expansion, limited efficacy testing, demand, recruitment rate, participation rate, and data collection). Children identified three occupational performance goals to practice across 10 weekly 30-60 min sessions. Data was collected for three children. Pre- and post-intervention scores on the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), Perceived Quality Rating Scale- Generic version (PQRS-G) and the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth (PEM-CY), along with caregiver and child interviews, were analysed. Reflexive thematic analysis examined acceptability and practicality from participants' perspectives. Results Five children were screened, four enrolled and three female children (n = 3), aged 11-12 years completed post-CO-OP measures, and their results were analysed. Caregivers and children reported some improvements in goal performance and satisfaction on the COPM. CO-OP was perceived as acceptable by caregivers and children. Caregivers valued child-chosen goals, recognised the importance of practice for progress and retention, and noted that additional support to use CO-OP strategies at home would be beneficial. Conclusions Findings provide preliminary support for CO-OP in enhancing occupational performance and participation for children with FASD. Evaluation with a larger sample is needed to further test feasibility and determine the approach's efficacy.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach delivered across 10 weekly sessions, where children identify and practice three self-chosen occupational performance goals with coaching
- Population
- Three female children aged 11-12 years with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Key finding
Caregivers and children reported some improvements in goal performance and satisfaction on the COPM
C et al. · Europe PMC · 16 Sept 2026