Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability (VdTMoCA)

• The Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability (VdTMoCA) is an occupational therapy model that assesses and facilitates a person’s creative ability.
• Creative ability relates to the capacity to interact with the environment and perform meaningful activities.
• The model sees widespread use in mental health, rehabilitation, and paediatric settings.

Key Principles

• Creative ability develops progressively, enabling responses to challenges and engagement in purposeful activities.
• Levels of creative ability indicate a person’s motivation and capabilities.
• Volition (internal drive) and action (observable behavior) are closely linked.
• Motivation must precede action.
• Therapists use guided participation by providing tailored challenge and support to promote progression.

Application in Paediatrics

• The model assesses creative ability in children and guides therapy.
• Therapy supports development by progressing children through levels of creative ability.

Pre-Levels

• Tone (Pre-Motivational): Little voluntary interaction with the environment is evident, as seen in infants or children with severe disabilities.
• Self-Differentiation: Children begin distinguishing self from others, responding to sensory input without consistent purpose.

Levels

• Incidentally Motivated Action (Level of Imitation): Children engage in activities due to external stimulation by imitating actions.
  • OT Focus: Sensory-based play, imitation games, routine-building, and modeling appropriate behaviors.
• Self-Presenting Action (Level of Experimentation): Children experiment and explore with goal-directed yet inconsistent actions.
  • OT Focus: Play-based therapy, problem-solving activities, and encouragement of independent decision-making.
• Self-Sustaining Action (Level of Self-Initiation): Children show independent initiative, engaging in complex and structured activities.
  • OT Focus: Skill-building, social interaction, and structured tasks.
• Individualistic Action (Level of Originality): Children independently initiate and carry out tasks, showing unique problem-solving skills.
  • OT Focus: Encouraging self-expression, complex play, and fine and gross motor development.
• Contributory & Competitive Action: Children collaborate and compete, adapting skills to different situations.
  • OT Focus: Group-based activities, teamwork, and leadership development.

Assessment in Paediatrics

• Observation of play, social interactions, and responses to structured and unstructured tasks is key.
• Use standardized or informal assessments to determine volition and action.
• Identify the "just right challenge" to engage and motivate development.

Therapeutic Intervention Strategies

• Sensory Play & Exploration (For Lower Levels): Use varied textures, lights, and sounds to encourage engagement, establishing routines who struggle with spontaneous participation.
• Structured Play & Routine Building (For Middle Levels): Introduce games and activities with clear rules, encouraging simple decision-making.
• Creative & Problem-Solving Activities (For Higher Levels): Incorporate arts and crafts, storytelling, or role-playing games, providing leadership and group interaction opportunities.
• Social Participation & Teamwork (For Advanced Levels): Implement group projects, cooperative play, and structured community or school activities.

Benefits of Using the VdTMoCA in Paediatrics

• Individualized Approach: Therapy matches the child’s developmental stage.
• Holistic Development: Addresses motivation and action for comprehensive growth.
• Structured Progression: Provides clear therapeutic goals.
• Child Empowerment: Encourages autonomy and self-expression through meaningful activities.

The Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability (VdTMoCA) is an occupational therapy model used to assess and promote a person's creative ability, which influences their capacity to engage with the environment and perform meaningful activities. It is commonly applied in mental health, rehabilitation, and pediatric contexts. Therapy supports development by progressing children through levels of creative ability.