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Abstract
Importance: Roughly 1 in 36 children have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (CDC, 2024). Children with ASD frequently experience difficulties with social participation (SP), which is essential for positive development and quality of life (Smith et al., 2023).
Objective: This systematized review examines the effectiveness of Occupational Therapy (OT) interventions for improving SP among children with ASD.
Data sources: A search of PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO from 2014 to 2024 was conducted by a medical librarian.
Study Collection and Data Collection: English-language articles were included if they were within the scope of OT, level 1-5 evidence, and related to promoting SP. Quantitative studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and RCTs were graded using the U.S. Preventive Task Force (2018) grade definitions.
Findings: Four themes emerged: parent-mediated interventions (PaMI), peer-mediated interventions (PeMI), school personnel training interventions (SPTI), and activity-based interventions (ABI). One level IA, three level IB, and one level IIIB studies provide strong evidence for PaMI. Three level IA, three level IB, one level IIB, and one level IIIB studies provide strong evidence for PeMI. One level IA, one level IB, and three level IIB studies provide moderate evidence for SPTI. One level IA, three level IIB, and one level IIIB studies provide moderate evidence for ABI.
Conclusions and Relevance: We encourage OTPs to consider implementing interventions that involve parent training, peer group social skill programs/training, social or creative activities, and school personnel training. Parent training and peer-mediated interventions should be used during routine practice.
What this study adds: This review provides recommendations on interventions that have been found to improve SP in children with autism. Providing OTPs with evidence-based recommendations will improve translation into practice and outcomes in their clients.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Data and statistics on autism spectrum disorder. https://www.cdc.gov/autism/data-research/index.html
Smith, J., Halliwell, N., Laurent, A., Tsotsoros, J., Harris, K., & DeGrace, B. (2023). Social participation experiences of families raising a young child with autism spectrum disorder: Implications for mental health and well-being. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(2), Article 7702185090. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2023.050156
Tanner, K., Hand, B. N., O’Toole, G., & Lane, A. E. (2015). Effectiveness of interventions to improve social participation, play, leisure, and restricted and repetitive behaviors in people with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69(5), Article 6905180010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2015.017806
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2018). Grade definitions. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Name/grade-definitions
Publication Date
2024
Disciplines
Occupational Therapy
Recommended Citation
Farho, Noah; Hein, Bailey; Manalili, Holly; Westmark, Danielle; Smallfield, Stacy; and Whitlow, Molly, "Interventions to Promote Social Participation in Children with Autism: A Systematized Review" (2024). Student Systematic Reviews: Occupational Therapy. 21.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/cahp_ot_sysrev/21