Autism spectrum disorder (ASD):
*Autism spectrum disorder is an umbrella term for developmental disabilities that include:
The disorders range in severity and individuals may have difficultly in all areas of function but are particularly challenged with:
Autism Spectrum disorders cannot be 'cured' - instead intervention is available for individuals with ASD that targets behavioral language, cognitive, social, and sensory concerns (Atchison & Dirette, 2007).
Occupational therapy (OT) for ASD:
Occupational therapy services are provided for children with an ASD in order to assist them in engaging in daily life activities that are meaningful and purposeful (Case-Smith & Arbesman, 2008).
Occupational therapists who work with children diagnosed with an ASD use various environments such as school, home and community and different interventions to focus on building skills in all areas of life such as daily living skills, education, play, self-cares, motor skills and social communication (Autism Speaks, 2009).
OT's look at the individual holistically by focusing not only on the person and how they are behaving, but also how they are performing occupations and how the environment effects their performance in everyday functioning (Tomchek, LaVesser & Watling, 2010).
Currently, occupational therapists working with children who have an ASD are expanding the use of aquatic-therapy as a treatment approach.
References:
 |
http://parenting4tomorrow.blogspot.co.nz/2011/07/autism-spectrum-disorders.htm
|
*social interaction
*communication
*restricted behaviour or repetitive/stereotyped behaviour.
*sensory processing
*motor difficulties and delay
(Dubois, 2011)
Autism Spectrum disorders cannot be 'cured' - instead intervention is available for individuals with ASD that targets behavioral language, cognitive, social, and sensory concerns (Atchison & Dirette, 2007).
Occupational therapy (OT) for ASD:
Occupational therapy services are provided for children with an ASD in order to assist them in engaging in daily life activities that are meaningful and purposeful (Case-Smith & Arbesman, 2008).
Occupational therapists who work with children diagnosed with an ASD use various environments such as school, home and community and different interventions to focus on building skills in all areas of life such as daily living skills, education, play, self-cares, motor skills and social communication (Autism Speaks, 2009).
OT's look at the individual holistically by focusing not only on the person and how they are behaving, but also how they are performing occupations and how the environment effects their performance in everyday functioning (Tomchek, LaVesser & Watling, 2010).
Currently, occupational therapists working with children who have an ASD are expanding the use of aquatic-therapy as a treatment approach.
References:
Atchison, B, J. & Dirette, D, K. (Eds.). (2007). Conditions in Occupational Therapy: Effects on Occupational Performance (3 ed) USA: Lippencott Williams & Wilkins.
Autism Speaks. (2009). Occupational therapy: How does it help children with ASD? Current News. Retrieved from:http://www.autismspeaks.org/inthenews/ian_findings_occupational_therapy.php
Case-Smith, J., & Arbesman, M. (2008). Evidence-based review of interventions for autism used in or of relevance to occupational therapy. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62, 416-429.
Dubois, M. (2011). Aquatic Therapy for Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: Occupational Therapists' Perspectives. Australia.
Tomchek, S., LaVesser, P., & Watling, R. (2010). The scope of occupational therapy services for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder across the life course. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 64(Suppl.), S125-S136.
No comments:
Post a Comment