Kawa

Title of Assessment  

The KAWA 

 Author(s) 

 Teoh J. Y. & Iwama M. K. 

Year of Publication/Publisher 

 2015 by Teoh Jou Yin 

Identify Type of Assessment 

• Observation-based 

• Non-standardized

• Interview 

Cost & How to Access Assessment

It's free!

https://www.kawamodel.com/download/KawaMadeEasy2015.pdf 

Population

• Adolescents

• Adults  

Appropriate Settings

• Community-Based

• Schools

Purpose of Assessment & Function(s)/Area(s) Assessed 

• The KAWA model uses a metaphor of a river to paint out ones life.

• This allows the client to help prioritize problems, enhance well-being and understand the contexts of life holistically. 

• The areas being assessed are life flow and priorities (water), obstacles and challenges (rocks),  social and physical environments (river banks), influencing factors (driftwood), and opportunities to enhance flow (spaces).

Administration

• Interview style  

• There is no set way to do the KAWA model

•  Questions can be asked in any order

• Important to let client think about their life and how their river flows

• Kawa can be done individually or as a group  

User Qualifications 

 Health Professional- Occupational Therapist 

Materials Required 

• Paper 

• Writing Utensils

• Art supplies

Scoring Procedure 

 KAWA is not scored, but observed to start conversations about future goals  

Psychometrics/Standardization

None because it is non-standardized

Strengths & Weaknesses of Assessment 

Strengths:

• Client centered

• Adaptable

• Creativity can be assessed

Weaknesses:

• Lack of quantitative assessment

• Client hesitancy 

References 

Teoh , Y., & Iwama, M. (n.d.). Kawa model. Physiopedia. Retrieved March 16, 2024, from https://www.physio-pedia.com/Kawa_Model