What stage of motor learning should an occupational therapist document for a client who can transfer learned motor skills to different contexts?

The correct answer is the skill transfer stage. This stage is characterized by the ability to apply motor skills learned in one context to different situations, demonstrating adaptability in the execution of those skills. When a client exhibits the capacity to transfer learned skills across various environments or tasks, it indicates that they have progressed beyond initial learning and are beginning to generalize their motor skills effectively. This is a significant milestone in motor learning, showing a deeper understanding and integration of skills.

In contrast, the skill acquisition stage focuses on the initial learning of the skill, where the client is primarily engaged in practicing and mastering specific tasks without yet demonstrating the ability to apply them in varied contexts. The autonomous stage represents proficiency and fluid execution of skills, but if the client is still in the process of transferring skills to different contexts, they have not yet reached this level. The refinement stage involves the fine-tuning of skills and enhancing performance efficiency, which again is more advanced than simple transfer across contexts. Thus, identifying the correct stage is essential for accurately documenting a client’s progress and planning further intervention strategies.