Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Sibling Involvement: Highlighting The Influential Role Of Siblings In Supporting Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Gracie Krueger, Robyn Otty

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Social impairments experienced by children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can limit participation in meaningful occupations. Incorporating typically developing siblings of children with ASD in occupational therapy-based community settings is an emerging practice approach that aims to support children with ASD during social challenges to enhance their participation in daily activities. The inclusion of siblings in occupational therapy practice presents a unique opportunity to address social skill development while facilitating positive sibling relationships. In this Opinions in the Profession paper, the influential role siblings play as social models for their siblings with ASD will be examined. The purpose of …

Exploration Of Occupational Therapy Practice For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders In The Dominican Republic, Katherine Lally, Michelle Messer, Vanessa D. Jewell

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: To better understand the current practice trends of ASD treatment globally and promote practitioner collaboration, it is important to complete studies in countries where little is known about the diagnosis and treatment of ASD through an occupational lens. The aim of this study was to gain an insight into how occupational therapists in the Dominican Republic evaluate and treat children diagnosed with ASD.

Method: This qualitative descriptive study explored the perception of occupational therapists (n = 6) and caregivers of children with ASD (n = 28) through a questionnaire and focus group. Interview transcripts and questionnaire text …

Addressing Occupational Performance Deficits In A Religious Setting: A Pediatric Case Report, Bryan M. Gee, Daniel Leatham

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: The purpose of this pediatric case report is to document how occupational therapy assisted a family with a child who has a diagnosis of ASD and the religious clergy increase the child’s participation in activities in the religious context.

Method: The pediatric case report uses an exploratory approach to explore the process of evaluating challenging psychosocial behaviors and implementing contextual and personal strategies to increase participation in meaningful occupations.

Results: As a result of the occupational therapy recommendations and follow-up consultations, the client demonstrated a reduction in behaviors that were a barrier to her participation in …

The Feasibility Of Taekwondo For Addressing Social Interaction And Social Participation In Children, Mariel Calinog, Julie D. Kugel, Dragana Krpalek, Arezou Salamat

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience physical, social, and emotional barriers that impact participation in extracurricular activities, such as taekwondo. Engaging in taekwondo may provide opportunities for advancing social abilities as well as developing health-promoting behaviors and routines. Therefore, the purpose of this feasibility study was to explore the effectiveness of using a form of martial arts, taekwondo, as an intervention to promote social participation in everyday life.

Method: A mixed-methods design was used. Three children between 7 and 8 years of age who met the ASD criteria participated in a 7-week taekwondo program. The …

Weighted Blankets And Sleep Quality In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Single-Subject Design, Bryan M. Gee, Victoria Scharp, Amy Williams

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Purpose: The purpose of the single-subject study was to explore the possible relationship between weighted blanket applications and sleep quality in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and behavioral manifestations of sensory processing deficits.

Method: Two 4-year-old participants diagnosed with ASD who also experienced sleep disturbances took part in a single-subject design study. Objective sleep measures and caregiver surveys were tracked for a baseline period of 7 days followed by a 14-day weighted blanket intervention and a 7-day withdrawal phase.

Results: Caregiver reports and objective data were evaluated using visual analysis and the percentage of non-overlapping data …

A Survey Of Occupational Therapy Services Provided For Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alisha Ohl, David Schelly, Dustin Brown, Nette Schulze, Maria Smith, Beth Davies

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: We examined the services provided to adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by occupational therapists across the United States.

Method: This cross-sectional study used an online survey, with a combination of structured and open-ended questions, to collect data from a nonprobability sample. Descriptive, inferential, and nonparametric statistics were used to analyze data.

Results: In our sample (N= 57), the majority of the participants spent less than half of their workweek intervening with the adult ASD population. Caregivers were instrumental in both referral and discharge, and Medicaid was the most common payer source. The Adult …

Scoping Review Of Interventions To Promote Social Participation In Adolescents And Young Adults With Neurodisability, Conall O'Rourke, Mark Linden, Gary Bedell

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Social participation, described as taking part in, being involvement and engaged with, and doing or being with others, is an important health outcome. Adolescents and young adults with neurodisability are often restricted in their social participation, particularly if they experience social and executive functioning challenges. A scoping review was conducted to examine interventions aimed at improving social participation in adolescents and young adults with neurodisability characterized by these challenges.

Method: The scoping review included peer-reviewed empirical studies published from 1990 to 2016 that employed psychosocial interventions to improve social participation in young people 13 to 24 years …

Yoga And Autism: Students’ Perspectives On The Get Ready To Learn Yoga Program, Lauren E. Milton, Selena Bantel, Kayelee Calmer, Marlee Friedman, Elizabeth Haley, Lauren Rubarts

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Yoga, a complementary health approach known for various therapeutic effects, is used with diverse populations, including students ASD. Limited evidence exists inclusive of the first-hand perspective of students with ASD who participate in yoga. The purpose of this study is to understand the perspective of students 10 and 14 years of age with ASD who participated in a portion of the GRTL yoga program as part of a physical education class.

Method: Using a qualitative design, this study examined the student perspective on the GRTL yoga program. A convenience sample of seven male participants between 10 and …

Enhancing Social Skills In Adolescents With High Functioning Autism Using Motor-Based Role-Play Intervention, Sharon A. Gutman, Emily I. Raphael-Greenfield, Neal Carlson, Rachel Friedman, Amanda Iger

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The purpose of this pilot study was to collect pilot data evaluating whether a motor-based role-play intervention using a canine animal assistant can enhance social skill use in two adolescents with HFA. A single subject ABA design across two participants was used. The intervention consisted of four 1-hour sessions over 4 weeks. The quality of social interaction was measured by the Evaluation of Social Interaction (ESI) administered at baseline and the 3-month probe. Frequency of targeted social skill use was measured during baseline, intervention, and probe phases. Participant 1 experienced statistically significant increases in both ESI scores (p = …