Challenges for an occupational-therapeutic practice that promotes autonomy and emancipation

Abstract

This text discusses autonomy and emancipation as goals of occupational therapy, drawing inspiration from Vladimir Safatle’s reflections to relate them to concepts such as freedom and democracy. It highlights the limited view of contemporary society, which often reduces autonomy to a strictly individual process. In dialogue with Luiz Silva and Paulo Freire, the text seeks to explore dimensions of emancipation processes, which include raising awareness of experienced oppressions and exercising autonomy in a free manner. It is argued that social occupational therapy, by adopting Freirean principles of critical and liberating education, can be understood as a tool to address the challenges posed. The text specifically discusses the practice of social occupational therapy developed with young people in public schools, which, by aiming to promote autonomy and emancipation, can contribute to strengthening youth leadership and, more broadly, to radical inclusion and democracy.