These frames can be applied to which populations?

• A. Children or adults with intellectual disabilities, acquired brain injuries, or autism; older adults with dementia and other chronic health conditions
• B. Only children with autism
• C. Only infants
• D. Only adults with brain injury

Answer: (A)

Frames of reference in occupational therapy offer guiding principles for evaluating and intervening that can be used across ages and diagnoses. This perspective emphasizes what the client needs to do in daily life rather than focusing only on a specific condition or age, so the same framework can be adapted for a wide range of individuals.

The best choice reflects this breadth by listing both children and adults with intellectual disabilities, acquired brain injuries, or autism, and older adults with dementia and other chronic health conditions. It shows that frames of reference aren’t limited to one group; they’re adaptable to diverse populations when the goal is to improve functional performance.

Other options narrow the scope to a single group (like only infants, only autism, or only adults with brain injury), which isn’t accurate for the use of frames of reference in practice.