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How Does the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) Provide a Framework for Using Social Stories?

Published on Jun 15, 2026
This is an edited excerpt from the following course: Social Stories For Occupational Therapy Practitioners

Question

How does the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) provide a framework for using social stories?

Answer

The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) reframes Social Stories from simple scripts into holistic tools that influence a client's motivation, habits, and environmental interaction. By targeting "volition," stories increase a child's personal causation and confidence, helping them feel capable of handling stressful events like fire drills or loud cafeterias. Furthermore, Social Stories support "habituation" by creating predictable routines and "performance capacity" by reducing the sensory and cognitive load during complex activities. This alignment allows OTPs to address the underlying factors that drive participation rather than focusing solely on observable behavior.

 

This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, Social Stories For Occupational Therapy Practitioners, presented by Aditi Mehra, DHSc, OTR/L.

  • Aditi Mehra

    DHSc, OTR/L

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