OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY INTERVENTIONS FOR RESTRICTED AND REPETITIVE BEHAVIORS WITH AUTISM

Abstract

Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are a problematic behavior experienced by individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder that potentially interferes with engagement in meaningful occupations for that person. The purpose of this work was to 1) Identify evidenced based interventions effective in addressing RRBs that fall within an occupational therapy scope of practice; 2) Discover interventions occupational therapists are using to address RRBs; and 3) Determine how those interventions relate to known evidenced based interventions. To achieve these goals an integrative review was completed, identifying twenty-eight evidenced based interventions to address RRBs. Interventions were classified based on an ABA framework and mapped onto the PEO model of occupational performance. A descriptive interview study was completed by interviewing Canadian occupational therapists. Twenty-four interventions reported by therapists interviewed and four core themes related to occupational therapy practice, RRBs, and ASD were revealed. This study highlighted implications for occupational therapy practice, education, and research.