Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines For Children And Adolescents With Autism

Practice guidelines have been widely developed in response to the health care reform movement. They can be a useful tool for improving the quality of health care, enhancing consumer satisfaction, promoting appropriate use of services, and reducing costs. Using an evidence-based perspective and key concepts from the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, this guideline provides an overview of the occupational therapy process for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), the prevalence of which is increasing rapidly in the United States. It defines the occupational therapy domain, process, and interventions--including sensory integration and sensory-based interventions, relationship-based interventions, school-based programs, social skills interventions, and comprehensive behavioral interventions--that occur within the boundaries of acceptable practice.