Evaluation
- Goal is evaluation or assessment.
- Client skills and limitations are assessed for functional abilities.
- Group members interact with each other.
- No behavioral change is expected.
- Role of OT: passive observation and recording of skills, behaviors, and interactions.
- Does not intervene or participate.
- Example: stroke recovery; a group for clients with ASD.
Task-Oriented
- Members develop new behaviors as they complete tasks.
- Tangle product produced or service is provided (but not the main focus).
- Members learn from social interactions – and gain insight and self-awareness into feelings, ideas and values.
- Practice new behaviors with other members.
- Role of OT: active – organizing group structure, activity selection, feedback, facilitating discussion, exploring thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
- Example: community garden
Thematic Group
- Gain skills, knowledge, and attitudes for performing an activity for the chosen theme.
- Examples: cooking group, money management, job readiness, e.g., assistive technology and computer use to write a resume.
- Structure is clearly defined.
- Occur in a simulated environment.
- Role of OT: provide a purposeful activity, feedback in a safe and supportive environment, teach specific skills, and reinforce learning of skills.
Topical
- Similar to thematic group, but in a real environment, e.g., community.
- Example: practicing money skills at a supermarket
Developmental
- 5 Stages on a continuum
- Members progress and ‘develop’ through stages and build on previous skills.
- Members are on similar level of development.
- Focus is on interaction and not the task.
Parallel Developmental
- Similar to parallel play.
- Member performs short-term tasks.
- Minimal social interaction.
- Role of OT: leader – purpose, structure, feedback
Project Developmental
- Members perform short-term tasks with some social interaction – competition and cooperation.
- Role of OT: leader
Egocentric-Cooperative Developmental
- Members work together on a task that is multi-session (longer than project).
- Experimentation of group roles and responsibilities.
- Example: communication, stress management
Cooperative Developmental
- Members share insight into thoughts, feelings, values, and common interests.
- No end product is necessarily produced.
- Group is more cohesive.
- Role of OT: advisor/participant
- Examples: art, poetry, music
Mature Developmental
- Cohesiveness and harmony of the group is important to achieve the goal.
- Role of OT: member
- Example: community garden
Instrumental
- Maintain or preserve a level of health functioning.
- No behavioral change.
- Assumes members operating at the highest level of function.
- Role of OT: select and design activity, supervise, assist as needed, but not effect change.
- Can be physical, cognitive, or psychosocial.
- Example: senior exercise; social isolation.