Autism: A Comprehensive Occupational Therapy Approach

Various reports in the national media have focused on a potentially significant rise in the incidence of autism during the past decade. As such, providing occupational therapy practitioners with a comprehensive guide for practice with people with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continues to be a primary goal of this best-seller. Recognizing that young children grow into adolescents and adolescents grow into adults, this updated edition includes additional content applicable to adults as well as incorporates the findings from the explosion of recent research in this area. <P>Using the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework as a guide, the 24 revised and new chapters provide the information occupational therapy practitioners need to work with individuals with an ASD in client-centered and occupation-based practice. <P>Section Highlights and Topics <P><>Section I: An Introduction to the Autism Spectrum Disorders historical background, neurology, etiology <P>Section II: Common Strengths and Challenges for Individuals With an ASD diagnosis, communication, socialization, emotional regulation, sensory processing, motor control <P>Section III: Occupations in Individuals With an ASD individual and family occupations <P>Section IV: Occupational Therapy Evaluation and Intervention for Individuals With an ASD appropriate techniques, play, self-care, sensory integration, technology <P>Section IV: Occupational Therapy Practice: Contexts and Use of Evidence early intervention, transitions, evidence-based practice. <P>Also new to this edition are Did You Know? boxes highlighting statistics or resources that readers can use to further expand their awareness and knowledge of concepts relevant to providing services to individuals with an ASD. This book remains a must-have for occupational therapy students and practitioners at all levels.

Heather Miller Kuhaneck, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, is clinical assistant professor, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT. Renee Watling, PhD, OTR/L, is clinical assistant professor, University of Washington, Seattle.