Associations Among Clinical Factors and Occupational Therapy Service Utilization in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Associations Among Clinical Factors and Occupational Therapy Service Utilization in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Published:2023-03-01 Issue:2 Volume:77 Page:
ISSN:0272-9490
Container-title:The American Journal of Occupational Therapy
language:en
Short-container-title:

Author:

Campi Emily¹,Sideris John²,Wiles Amanda³,Phillips Allison⁴,Carrasquero Valentina Vera⁵,Ausderau Karla⁶,Baranek Grace⁷

Affiliation:

1. Emily Campi, MA, OTR/L, is Graduate Student, Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles; campi@usc.edu

2. John Sideris, PhD, is Professor of Research and Director of Instrument Development and Psychometric/Statistical Analysis, Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

3. Amanda Wiles, OTD, OTR/L, is Alumna, Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

4. Allison Phillips, OTD, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy, Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

5. Valentina Vera Carrasquero, OTD, OTR, is Alumna, Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

6. Karla Ausderau, PhD, OTR, is Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy Program, Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin–Madison.

7. Grace Baranek, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Associate Dean, Chair, and Mrs. T. H. Chan Professor of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Mrs. T. H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

Abstract

AbstractImportance: Limited research has elucidated factors predicting occupational therapy–specific service utilization by children with autism. Such research is needed to inform reasons for receipt of services.Objective: To examine factors associated with occupational therapy service utilization by children with autism. We hypothesized that elevated sensory hyperresponsiveness; greater sensory interests, repetitions, and seeking; and lower adaptive behavior would predict more service utilization.Design: Analysis of extant data from a prospective, longitudinal survey study about autism symptom severity, adaptive behavior, sensory features, and demographic and service utilization information of children with autism ages 3 to 13 yr.Setting: Online parent survey regarding child behaviors during daily activities and contexts.Participants: 892 parents of children with autism from 50 U.S. states.Outcomes and Measures: We used scores on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale–Second Edition, the Social Responsiveness Scale, and the Sensory Experiences Questionnaire Version 3.0 and responses to a demographic questionnaire. We formulated hypotheses after data collection but before analysis.Results: Predictors of higher occupational therapy service utilization were lower enhanced perception; lower adaptive behavior; elevated sensory interests, repetitions, and seeking behaviors; younger child age; and higher household income.Conclusion and Relevance: Results partially support our hypotheses. Sensory interests, repetitions, and seeking behavior predicted occupational therapy service utilization, whereas other sensory response patterns did not, suggesting a possible referral bias for certain sensory response patterns. Occupational therapy practitioners can educate parents and teachers about the scope of practice, which includes addressing sensory features beyond sensory interests, repetitions, and seeking behaviors.What This Article Adds: Children with autism who have impairments in adaptive functioning and high levels of sensory interests, repetitions, and seeking behaviors receive more occupational therapy services. Occupational therapy practitioners should be well trained to address such concerns and advocate for the profession’s role in mitigating the impact of sensory features on daily life.

Publisher

AOTA Press

Subject

Occupational Therapy

Link

https://research.aota.org/ajot/article-pdf/doi/10.5014/ajot.2023.050129/77372/7702205070.pdf

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