Research summaries for autism therapy: occupational therapy (OT)

definition of occupational therapy (OT): Type of therapy that focuses on helping people with autism learn functional physical skills that involve using their muscles. These skills may include writing, riding a bike, or catching a ball. Occupational therapists may also provide sensory integration therapy to children with autism and/or sensory integration disorder.
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Is There a Relationship Between Restricted, Repetitive, Stereotyped Behaviors and Interests and Abnormal Sensory Response in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders?, Summarized Dec 17, 2008

Children with frequent or severe repetitive behaviors may be more likely to have poor sensory responses than other children with autism.

This pilot study was designed to see if children who do the same movement or behavior over and over again (repetitive behavior) are more likely to have a poor sensory response. The data were taken from parent reports. The authors found that children with frequent/severe repetitive behavior and/or interests are more likely to have poor sensory response. This was the case for children with high as well as low IQ. These children are also more likely to receive drug therapy. Read more...

Outcomes of a Pilot Training Program in a Qigong Massage Intervention for Children with Autism, Summarized Nov 20, 2008

Qigong massage may be able to help children with autism improve sensory issues and problem behavior.

This study was designed to see if Western-trained people would be able to perform Qigong massage on children with autism and see results. They found that the 80-hour Qigong Sensory Training program was able to train therapists to provide Qigong massage. The authors found no difference in outcomes between children who were high-functioning and those who were low-functioning. The study did not have a control and it was small (26 children). The authors are now working on a larger randomized controlled study. Read more...

You Can Know Me if You Listen: Sensory, Motor, and Communication Issues in a Nonverbal Person with Autism, Summarized Nov 19, 2008

Occupational therapists may be able to help people with autism learn to feel their bodies and move their bodies better.

The authors begin the article by stating that while many people used to believe that people with autism are mentally retarded, people now know that this is not the case. This case study describes an intense approach to occupational therapy (OT). The goal of the occupational therapy was for David (age 18) to learn to self-regulate and learn to move freely. The therapy was based on listening to David's voice and hearing what David needed. David described what it felt like to live with sensory integration problems, motor speech problems, and problems moving. Read more...

Evidence-Based Review of Interventions for Autism Used in or of Relevance to Occupational Therapy, Summarized Nov 18, 2008

Occupational therapy (OT) for autism may include: sensory integration therapy, relationship-based therapy, and skill-based therapy. This review article describes the evidence behind the most common therapeutic approaches offered by an occupational therapist to children with autism. Occupational therapists often choose a therapeutic approach based upon scientific evidence, parent input, and setting of the therapy (school versus home). The authors found that the best therapeutic approaches involved careful and continued watching of the child for growth and progress.... Read more...

Showing 13-16 of 40 results

Synonyms for occupational therapy (OT) include: occupation therapy, occupational, occupational therapist, occupational therapy, occupational training, OT
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