Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in social interaction and verbal and non-verbal communication. The prevalence of ASD in pediatric populations has increased in recent years. These deficits adversely affect personality development and daily functioning. Occupational therapy (OT) is a comprehensive intervention designed to promote occupational engagement and social participation in individuals with ASD. This review aimed to evaluate the role of OT in improving daily functioning in children with ASD by synthesizing evidence from previous studies. A comprehensive search of electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Scopus, was performed to identify all potentially relevant articles. The search strategy incorporated various keywords and their combinations, such as “occupational therapy,” “implementation,” “outcomes,” “effect,” “impact,” “daily activity,” “autism,” “ASD,” “children,” and “pediatrics. Inclusion criteria were restricted to original, English-language studies focusing on pediatric patients with ASD. Six studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 97 children aged 2-10 years. OT interventions included applied behavior analysis, play-based approaches, and sensory integration strategies. Across the studies, OT demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing daily functioning by improving skills essential for daily living activities.

Key words: OT, outcomes, ASD, pediatrics, daily function.