ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of this study was to survey the status of occupational therapy at specialized child-care centers for the disabled in Korea and to present a way to proceed with them. Methods: A total of 51 occupational therapists in charge at a specialized child-care center for the disabled in Korea responded to a questionnaire by mail, and visited between July 21 to August 31 of2015. Results: The largest number of children in specialized child-care centers for the disabled was 31 to 60 (56.9%), and 84.3% of the children were found to be of preschool and school age. Based on the responses, the diagnosis of the children was in order of intellectual disability (100.0%), brain lesions, (96.1%), and autistic disorders (96.1%). The professionals were made up of child care teachers (44.1%), special education teachers (31.0%), language rehabilitation specialists (11.2%), and occupational therapists (8.7%). In the overall data for occupational therapy, the treatment time was 7 to 9 times (70.6%) daily on average, and the treatment time was 30 to 40 minutes (94.1%). As for the opinion regarding the status of occupational therapy, provisions for assigning therapists (100.0%), therapist personnel regulations (96.1%), and salary differential improvements (100.0%) are needed. Conclusion: It is necessary to set up systematic work of experts from each field and solve collaborative practices between therapy and education to help provide the disabled an optimal child care environment.