Learning from Occupational Therapy in Latin America - by Pamela Talero Cabrejo & Vagner Dos Santos & Nick Pollard (Paperback)

About the Book

By introducing fresh perspectives from Latin American professionals, this book aims to capture the advances in occupational therapy being made in the region and to use those to encourage change in the profession elsewhere in the world.

Book Synopsis

What can occupational therapy practitioners in the Global North learn from the ways OT is practiced across Latin America? This book offers a deep dive into the rich epistemologies, practices, and critical perspectives of Latin American occupational therapists. Featuring contributions from over 30 authors and collaborators across 15 Latin American countries, it presents a ground breaking resource that addresses urgent global challenges such as discrimination, migration, social inequality, and systemic injustice.

Edited by an international team of scholars, the book bridges cultural and professional divides, providing practical tools, case studies, and reflective exercises to enhance education, research, and practice. Tailored for anglophone audiences, it encourages transformative inter-regional dialogue and inspires a more inclusive, justice-driven approach to occupational therapy.

Review Quotes

It is a pleasure to see a book that proposes learning from occupational therapy in Latin America. We have been developing locally grounded and critically rooted practices and knowledge, with valuable know-how that can contribute globally to the field of occupational therapy. I hope that readers from different parts of the world can engage with this knowledge to enrich diversity and critical perspectives within our profession, ultimately leading to a more responsive global practice capable of addressing the challenges of our historical time.--Ana Malfitano, Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil

This is one of the greatest resources of our time as it brings out regional perspectives with global relevance. It provides a cohesive narrative of the Latin American region's diverse and transformative approaches, and promotes strategies for developing inclusive, culturally responsive, and justice-oriented approaches to occupation, health, and well-being.--Tecla Mlambo, University of Zimbabwe, Senior Lecturer; WFOT President Elect 2024-2026

This is the perfect book for this moment in history. It will challenge, stimulate and ultimately uplift you as you embark on a deep journey of learning. The bold vision of the editors has been realized by the contributing authors of Abya Yala who are scholarly, reflective and courageous in equal measure. Reading their insightful narrative accounts will transform your professional world view in a powerful way.--Gail Whiteford, OAM, FOTARA, Emeritus Professor, Charles Sturt University

Decolonialising occupational therapy starts with knowledge dissemination. This is a much needed book which no doubt will be a valuable contribution towards a more critical and less colonial occupational therapy.--Dikaios Sakellariou, Professor in Disability Studies and Occupational Therapy, Cardiff University

An informative, timely, and cogent publication that makes a significant contribution to the occupational therapy and occupational science bodies of knowledge at a critical point in time. The contributing chapter authors come from diverse cultural backgrounds, broad lived experiences of human occupation, informed occupational theoretical viewpoints, and the professional and first hand experiences of occupational therapists in Latin America. The Lifeways, Identities, Territories, and Arenas chapter sections of Learning From Occupational Therapy in Latin America also provide a structure for the prospective reader to understand the comprehensive and diverse themes, concepts and ideas covered in this scholarly edited book. I highly recommend this publication for anyone wanting to broaden their social justice and inclusive practice knowledge and perspectives related to the unique cultural, social, theoretical, and professional practice contexts of occupational therapy and occupational science in Latin America.--Ted Brown, PhD, MPA, MSc, BScOT(Hons), OTC, OTR, FOTARA, FAOTA

About the Author

Pamela Talero Cabrejo is a Colombian-born occupational therapist and Assistant Professor at Thomas Jefferson University, USA. She has worked both as a clinician and educator on various healthcare projects. She is based in Arizona.
Vagner Dos Santos is a Brazilian-born occupational therapist and Senior Lecturer at Charles Sturt University, Australia. He serves as an associate editor for a Brazilian occupational therapy journal. He is based in New South Wales.
Nicholas Pollard is a Senior Lecturer in occupational therapy and the course leader for the MSc pre-registration programme at Sheffield Hallam University, UK. He has written and presented widely on critical explorations of occupational therapy. He is based in Sheffield.