What are performance skills?

Performance skills refer to the goal-directed actions that are observable as small units of engagement within daily activities. These skills are the building blocks of performance in various contexts, such as self-care, work, and leisure tasks. They encompass a range of abilities, including the precision with which an individual can manipulate objects, the coordination evident in physical movements, and the social skills necessary for effective communication and interaction.

In occupational therapy, practitioners focus on enhancing these skills to improve a client's ability to participate in meaningful activities. Identifying and developing these observable actions allow therapists to create targeted interventions that promote independence and enhance the quality of life for individuals.

The other choices do not accurately capture the essence of performance skills. For instance, while options mentioning large-scale actions or complicated skills may reference important aspects of occupation or activity, they do not reflect the specific characteristics of performance skills as defined in occupational therapy practice. Performance skills are much more focused on the smaller, observable actions that contribute to overall functional performance in everyday life.