The effectiveness of group occupational therapy on social skills of children with autism spectrum disorder

SUMMARY Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine Department of Rehabilitation, Physical and Sports Medicine Bachelor of Occupation Therapy Program The Effectiveness of Group Occupational Therapy on Social Skills of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder The Author: Liudvikas Gruodis Work Leader: assistant Laima Mikulėnaitė, Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine Department of Rehabilitation, Physical and Sports Medicine Keywords: autism spectrum disorder, social behavior, social function, group occupational therapy. The aim of research work: evaluate the effectiveness of group occupational therapy on social behavior for children with autism spectrum disorder. Tasks of work: 1. According to the parents questionnaire data identify manifestations of social skills in everyday life. 2. Rate social function of children with autism spectrum disorder before and after group and individual occupational therapy. 3. Rate social behavior of children with autism spectrum disorder before and after group and individual occupational therapy. 4. Compare the effectiveness of group occupational therapy for children’s social behavior and function with individual occupational therapy group. Materials and methods: research was carried out during February – April 2017 in Children‘s Hospital (Affiliate of Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu clinics), Child Development Centre, early rehabilitation department. 24 children aged 5-7 years old participated in research. Children were divided in two groups: test group of children which was given group occupational therapy, control group whose children were given individual occupational therapy. At the start of the research questionnaires were given for the parients to find out how children‘s with autism spectrum social skills effect childrens daily life. Social function was assesed with Pediatric evaluation of disabillity inventory, social behavior was assesed with Autism social skills profile. Results: 67% of parents thought that their children’s communication skills did not match their age. 17% of parents thought that their child likes to go to preschool, 50% that their children don’t participate in group activities in preschool and 42% think that their child usualy plays alone. The results of social function show that there was a significant change in control group and that there was no significant change in social function in group which received group occupational therapy. After evaluation of social behaviour there was a significant chance in all the areas (social reciprocity, social participation, detrimental behaviour) in group which received group occupational therapy. In control group there was only significant change in children’s social participation skills after the intervention. By comparing the intervention we see that there was significant difference on social function after the intervention. There was also significant difference on social reciprocity and detrimental behavour after intervention between groups. There was significant difference on social participation. Conclusions: 1. Children who have autism spectrum disorder, according to the parents questionnaire lack social skills in their daily routine. They have difficulties communicating, participating in their daily preschool activities. 2. The group which received group occupational therapy had no significant change in social function. On the other hand there was a significant change in control children group who received individual occupational therapy. 3. The group which received group occupational therapy had significant change in social reciprocity and detrimental social behaviour. There was significant change in both groups in social participation after the occupational therapy intervention. 4. Comparing two groups after the intervention there was significant difference on social function. Social reciprocity and detrimental behaviour results were also significantly different between the therapies