Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability (VdTMoCA)

The Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability (VdTMoCA) (Van der Reyden et al. 2019) is founded on the theory of creative ability developed by South African Occupational Therapist, Vona du Toit (du Toit, 1974).   This model's unique contribution to the Occupational Therapy profession is understanding people in terms of sequential levels of creative ability. The term creative refers to one's ability to change in response to life‘s demands (the creation of oneself), as well as creation of tangible things and solutions to problems.

From a developmental perspective, each level of creative ability is comprised of interrelated volition, motivation and action (behaviours, skills, performance). Intervention matches what the person has volition, motivation and ability for, while also posing a challenge - mastery of which has the potential to result in growth in volition, motivation and ability, hence growth towards the next level of creative ability. Equally, the model informs intervention to maintain and/or prevent decline in ability.

The model’s detailed guide to the selection and grading of all aspects of intervention informs Occupational Therapy in a broad range of services including physical (e.g. Stroke rehabilitation), across client age groups, and also informs MDT, family and carer interventions (Sherwood, 2021). Changes in creative ability are measured with the Creative Participation Assessment form (Van der Reyden et al, 2019) and the Activity Participation Outcome Measure (Casteleijn, 2010, 2012a, 2012b). The VdTMoCA can be used with individuals of any diagnosis and severity of illness/problems.  It has gained most interest in the fields of mental health and learning disabilities, but can also be used with people in wellness and for staff development.

Casteleijn D (2010) Development of an outcome measure for occupational therapists in mental health care practice. (PhD dissertation), University of Pretoria, Pretoria. Retrieved from http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-02102011-143303/

Casteleijn D, Graham M (2012a) Domains for occupational therapy outcomes in mental health practices.  South African Journal of Occupational Therapy, 42(1), 26-34.

Casteleijn D, Graham M (2012b) Incorporating a client-centred approach in the development of occupational therapy outcome domains for mental health care settings in South Africa. South African Journal of Occupational Therapy, 42(2), 8-13.

Du Toit, V (1974) An investigation into the correlation between volition and its expression in action. South African Journal of Occupational Therapy, pp6-9.

Van der Reyden D, Casteleijn D, Sherwood W, de Witt P (2019) (Eds.) The Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability: Origins, Constructs, Principles and Application in Occupational Therapy.  Vona & Marie du Toit Foundation, Pretoria, South Africa.

Sherwood W (2021) (Ed.) Perspectives on the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability: Practice, theory and philosophy. Watford, International Creative  Ability Network. (Available here).