Social interaction is recognized as being within the domain of occupational therapy practice. However, without a clearly defined model of social interaction that is consistent with the tenets of occupational therapy, therapists' understanding of how socially-oriented occupational behaviour is produced and their ability to assess and treat social deficits will remain limited. A working model that conceptualizes social interaction within the context of occupational performance is presented and discussed. Social enactment skills, the output of the process, are produced as a result of the individual's ability to take in and make sense of social information, and develop a plan of action. This process is influenced by several variables including the individual's sensory organs, cognitive abilities, emotional state, volitional traits, and interactional style. Three brief case studies illustrate the utility of the model in explaining clients' social interaction and helping to guide the assessment and intervention process.
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