Autism: A Comprehensive Occupational Therapy Approach

Occupational therapy plays a vital role in providing services to children with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) and their families. In this volume, some the field's foremost authorities offer their knowledge, clinical expertise, and insight on the subject.

Uniquely comprehensive, this book stands in stark contrast to the narrow focus of many other books, which deal with specific or narrow aspects of the PDD spectrum. Included in this volume are chapters that present the basics, including diagnostic criteria, typical range of symptoms and behaviors, and impact on family functioning; extensive material specific to assessment and intervention, including tools and techniques, using the team approach, intervention strategies, commonly offered alternatives, and research to date; worksheets, sample assessment tools and checklists, and progress report forms; suggested readings and extensive listings of further resources, web sites, and organizations, including contact information; convenient tables, instructive diagrams, and figures; and case studies.

This book presents essential, broad-based information for students, entry-level practitioners, and advanced practitioners new to this critical area of practice.

Heather Miller-Kuhaneck, MS, OTR/L, BCP, is clinical supervisor at the Connecticut Center for Pediatric Therapy in Wallingford.