New and Expanded Concepts in Neurophysiology, Psychology, and Sociology Complementary to Llorens' Developmental Theory: Achieving Growth and Development through Occupation for Neonatal Infants and their Families

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: This issue expands the Llorens’ Developmental Theory of Occupational Therapy. Llorens drew from multiple theorists from the disciplines of sociology, neurophysiology, biology, ecology, psychology, occupational science, and psychodynamics to provide the profession of occupational therapy with a unified theory to facilitate growth and development for people of all ages—from infancy to old age. Purpose: The purpose of this issue is to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the continued relevance of Llorens' theory. In addition, the author evaluates, recommends, and applies updated theoretical premises in the realms of psychodynamics, neurophysiology, contextual ecology, and cognitive science that reflect the relevance of occupational therapy practice for infants and their families in the neonatal intensive care unit. New Psychological Elements: Through the appropriate use of purposeful occupational activity and affective object relationships, the expanded Developmental Theory of Occupational Therapy provides a unified theory of occupation enablement as intrinsic spatiotemporal adaptation and as extrinsic socio − cultural and physically contextual occupational adaptation to achieve growth and development across the lifespan.