Atuação da terapia ocupacional com crianças e adolescentes com transtorno do espectro autista (TEA) no brasil: uma revisão integrativa da literatura

Abstract

Given the popularization of the topic of autism in the current context, occupational therapy has been one of the most used professionals when it comes to the care and intervention of autistic children and adolescents. However, Brazilian literature is scarce and indicates a series of gaps that need to be overcome. Thus, the present study aimed to identify and analyze what has been produced in the national scientific literature about the work of occupational therapists with children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder in Brazil. Based on the guiding question “what has been produced in the national literature about the work of occupational therapy with children and adolescents with ASD?” data collection began in the Revista de Terapia Ocupacional da USP, Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional da UFSCar and Revista Interinstitucional Brasileira de Terapia Ocupacional. In total, 29 publications were selected for thematic analysis. The results were organized according to 4 thematic axes - 1) Occupational therapy practices during the COVID-19 pandemic; 2) Mothers, families and caregivers; 3) Inclusion, play and social skills and 4) techniques, methods and approaches. It is expected that this study will contribute to a better understanding of the core of occupational therapy when it comes to working with autistic children and adolescents.