Characterizing Occupational Therapy Intervention for Children on the Autism Spectrum

Abstract

Abstract Importance: Occupational therapy is one of the most used interventions for children on the autism spectrum. There is a critical need to develop an operationalized list of key treatment components of usual-care occupational therapy practice for children on the autism spectrum. Objective: To identify and develop consensus on definitions and examples of key treatment components of usual-care occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum, ages 6 to 13 yr. Design: We conducted a Delphi study to obtain feedback from a panel of experts. Setting: Electronic survey. Participants: 17 occupational therapy panelists with expertise in autism intervention. Outcomes and Measures: Panelists rated the definition and example of each treatment component and provided feedback through multiple rounds of survey. Results: On the basis of the panelists’ feedback on Delphi Round 1, the criteria rating form was revised to include four questions for the definition and example of each treatment component. Through four Delphi rounds of consensus building, we developed an operationalized list of 20 treatment components with definitions and examples that incorporated elements of usual-care occupational therapy intervention for children on the autism spectrum. Conclusions and Relevance: This operationalized list of treatment components serves as a foundational framework to improve education, practice, and research of occupational therapy intervention for children on the autism spectrum. Plain-Language Summary: This study identified and developed consensus on definitions and examples of key treatment components used in usual-care outpatient occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum. Through four rounds of consensus building with 17 occupational therapy experts in autism, we identified 20 key treatment components central to occupational therapy practice. Our results have the potential to serve as a framework to improve education, practice, and clinical research in autism.