Occupational Therapy Interventions for Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Restricted and Repetitive Behavior (RRB) often impedes functional behavior in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Occupational therapists (OTs) may need to address RRBs with this population in order to facilitate the client’s functional goals. Semi-structured interviews with seven experienced Canadian OTs explored a range of RRB interventions together with the associated clinical reasoning underlying their use. Twenty-four reported interventions and four core themes related to occupational therapy practice, RRBs, and ASD were revealed. Reported interventions were compared to evidenced based interventions as well as mapped using the PEO model of occupational performance and an applied behavior analysis framework.

Keywords:

• Autism
• restricted and repetitive behaviors
• occupational therapy
• intervention
• clinical reasoning

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Acknowledgments

The writers would like to thank all participants who volunteered their time and knowledge to the present study. The information they contributed was interesting and informative.