Sensory processing is a personal trait that can contribute to challenging behavior. Protective factors, such as resiliency, can support children in managing their behavior, yet little research has addressed the contribution of sensory processing to protective factors. Therefore, in this cross-sectional study we aimed to determine the contribution of sensory processing (using the Sensory Profile–2) to challenging behavior and protective factors (using the Behavior Assessment System for Children, 2nd ed., Parent Rating Scales) in a sample of 51 children ages 6–11 yr from the general U.S. population. The results indicated that sensory avoiding predicts externalizing behaviors, depression, resiliency, and adaptability. In addition, sensory seeking is related to depression and resiliency, whereas sensory sensitivity is related to externalizing behaviors. Implications for occupational therapy research and practice are discussed.

PURPOSE. This paper explores the importance of family daily routines and rituals for the family’s functioning and sense of identity. METHODS. The findings of this paper are derived from an analysis of the morning routines of 40 families with children with disabilities in the United States and Canada. The participants lived in urban and rural areas. Forty of the 49 participants were mothers and the majority of the families were of European descent. Between one and four interviews were conducted with each participant. Topics included the family’s story, daily routines, and particular occupations. Data on the morning routines of the families were analyzed for order and affective and symbolic meaning using a narrative approach. FINDINGS. The findings are presented as narratives of morning activities in five families. These narratives are examples for rituals, routines, and the absence of a routine. Rituals are discussed in terms of their affective and symbolic qualities, routines are discussed in terms of the order they give to family life, whereas the lack of family routine is discussed in terms of lack of order in the family. CONCLUSIONS. Family routines and rituals are organizational and meaning systems that may affect family’s ability to adapt them.

The use of occupation as a therapeutic method is the essence of the profession of occupational therapy. This core of therapeutic occupation is flexible across cultures, times, health care environments, and different philosophies of the nature of the human being. Given this adaptability, the profession espouses diverse models of practice—the multiple frames of reference that guide therapeutic occupation for different populations in different settings. Across the history of the profession, therapeutic occupation has been the common core of otherwise different approaches to intervention. Although each of the many past and current models of practice has a different viewpoint, the common factor is the synthesis of occupational forms designed to elicit meaningful and purposeful occupational performance. Occupational synthesis is the essential act of the occupational therapist. It is necessary that occupational therapists confirm the power of therapeutic occupation through research that examines the profession’s central principles. Occupational therapists are also urged to use the term occupation consistently and proudly in their interactions with recipients of therapy, fellow health care professionals, and each other. The profession of occupational therapy will flourish because occupation, its core, is so basic to human health yet so flexible, depending on the needs of the individual human being.