This paper was presented at the Pretoria College of Occupational Therapy in South Africa in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Teachers Diploma IN OT.
Much is available in literature concerning the Ego, its development and its disintegration. However, there is relatively little available information published by occupational therapists in relation to the treatment of the chronic schizophrenia exhibiting severe ego disintegration.
The aims of the study were to: analyse and define self-awareness, propose a practical assessment scheme involving the basic characteristics of self-awareness and to suggest a graded execution of treatment based on the findings of the investigation into the level of self-awareness.
The candidate ascertained that self-awareness consists of being aware of oneself as a separate, finite and differentiated entity in relation to other people and objects in the environment.
The candidate arrived at the conclusion that an intensive treatment scheme involving the suggested techniques or modifications thereof has the potential with regressed schizophrenics. Basic to the successful implementation of the scheme is however, treatment over a long term by the same therapist.
Labuschagne, R, I (1968) Vona du Toit's Model of Creative Ability: The missing link in paediatric occupational therapy.