Classifying children's participation in occupations in school contexts from the occupational therapy perspective

Early childhood education is characterized by occupations related to playing, self-care and learning. For occupational therapy, the participation in these occupations reflects on the physical, cognitive, social, affective and occupational development of children. This study aimed to analyze forms of child participation in occupations in school contexts and to propose criteria for classifying this participation, from the perspective of occupational therapy. A qualitative research was carried out, with participant observation using the technique of Narrative Descriptions. Four children with typical development (TD) and four children who were part of the Target Audience Students of Special Education (TASE) participated in this study, one with physical disability and three with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). For data analysis, the Content Analysis technique revealed four forms of participation, based on elements such as: involvement in the occupation, necessary assistance or autonomy in participation, tolerance, social interactions, motivation and initiative. These forms of participation were called full participation, assisted active participation, rudimentary participation and restricted participation. Full participation was preponderantly manifested by TD children and assisted active participation was manifested by TASE children with physical disabilities. Rudimentary participation and restricted participation were evidenced exclusively by TASE children with ASD. The results are considered relevant for the early identification of facilitators and barriers to participation, as well as for the adequate provision of conditions and interventions that enhance the participation of all children in school environments and for the strengthening and expansion of the work of occupational therapists in these scenarios.