What is Occupational Formulation?

Occupational formulation is a structured way of thinking about a person's needs, challenges, and strengths as they relate to meaningful daily activities (occupations). It is a tool occupational therapists use to understand and explain why someone may be having difficulty participating in life the way they want to.

Using the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO)

We use the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) to guide this process. MOHO helps us look at four core areas:

- Volition: What motivates the person? What are their interests and values?

- Habituation: What are their daily roles and routines?

- Performance Capacity: What are their physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities?

- Environment: How do surroundings (home, school, work) impact their participation?

Why Occupational Formulation Matters

The purpose of occupational formulation is to build a comprehensive, client-centered understanding that leads to individualized, effective intervention. This approach supports both school-age students and clients of all ages receiving CBIT (Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics) or CoPs (Cognitive Psychophysiological Intervention for Tics) by tailoring services to the person's real-world experience.

A Holistic, Personalized Approach

By formulating instead of simply treating, we ensure therapy is aligned with what truly matters to the client.

This makes our interventions more meaningful, effective, and sustainable over time.