Intervention for patients who lack the skill to perform a task differs from that for patients who lack the will to perform a task or who cannot manage time effectively. Skill is the ability to initiate, perform, and complete tasks efficiently. Skill is assessed by observing patients performing tasks. If this setting is not available, a simulated home, leisure, or work environment in the occupational therapy clinic may be used. Skills are rated and recorded for each task assessed.
Habits are behaviors that are performed automatically without premeditation.
Habits are often assessed by interviewing patients and their caregivers. No uniform system for describing habit deficits exists. Competency in performing a task does not indicate competency in daily living. Inconsistency is characterized by occasional refusal to perform regular tasks. For example, patients with organic or emotional problems may feed themselves at one meal but refuse to do so at the next.