What are activity demands?

Activity demands refer to the typical requirements needed to carry out an activity. This includes the specific skills, actions, and social interaction demands that are necessary in order to successfully perform the activity. Understanding activity demands is crucial in occupational therapy as it helps to establish what is required for a task and how a client can meet those demands.

For example, when analyzing a daily living activity like dressing, activity demands may include the physical movement required to put on clothing, cognitive understanding of how to match items, and social skills needed for environments where dressing is performed. By assessing these demands, occupational therapists can identify potential challenges that an individual may face and create targeted interventions to support their skill development or adaptation strategies.

This understanding is foundational for therapists as it guides them in customizing treatment plans that align with the client’s actual needs and functional capacities.