Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. This project brings to our attention OT's important role in meeting the ever-changing service needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as they transition into adulthood. Comparative analysis of pretest, posttest, and maintenance assessment scores offers insight into changes and begins an important discussion of how we can improve and sustain adaptive life skills in adolescents with ASD for the long-term goal of changing their trajectory for greater independence. Primary Author and Speaker: Elizabeth Grant Additional Authors and Speakers: Shirley O'Brien, Geela Spira Contributing Authors: Scott Tomchek

Date Presented 03/27/20 This project brings to our attention OT’s important role in meeting the ever-changing service needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as they transition into adulthood. Comparative analysis of pretest, posttest, and maintenance assessment scores offers insight into changes and begins an important discussion of how we can improve and sustain adaptive life skills in adolescents with ASD for the long-term goal of changing their trajectory for greater independence. Primary Author and Speaker: Elizabeth Grant Additional Authors and Speakers: Shirley O’Brien Contributing Authors: Gayle Spira, Scott Tomchek

Date Presented 03/29/20 We present on a research project that used telehealth to support parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to toilet train their children. Among n=15 children with ASD, results of the 12-week intervention showed significant gains in goal attainment scaling, the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, and the Toileting Behavior Questionnaire. Children with ASD benefit from an OT telehealth intervention to increase this essential adaptive behavior. Primary Author and Speaker: Lauren Little Additional Authors and Speakers: Anna Wallisch, Winnie Dunn, Scott Tomchek

Sensory processing is a personal trait that can contribute to challenging behavior. Protective factors, such as resiliency, can support children in managing their behavior, yet little research has addressed the contribution of sensory processing to protective factors. Therefore, in this cross-sectional study we aimed to determine the contribution of sensory processing (using the Sensory Profile–2) to challenging behavior and protective factors (using the Behavior Assessment System for Children, 2nd ed., Parent Rating Scales) in a sample of 51 children ages 6–11 yr from the general U.S. population. The results indicated that sensory avoiding predicts externalizing behaviors, depression, resiliency, and adaptability. In addition, sensory seeking is related to depression and resiliency, whereas sensory sensitivity is related to externalizing behaviors. Implications for occupational therapy research and practice are discussed.

Date Presented 3/31/2017 Despite the many publicly available sensory processing assessments for children age 2–10 yr, it is clear that no single assessment meets all measurement needs. Primary Author and Speaker: Andrew Persch Additional Authors and Speakers: Christina Case, Stefanie Bodison, Karen Harpster, Scott Tomchek, Alison Lane

Date Presented 3/30/2017 This session describes subtypes and profiles of children based on sensory processing patterns and developmental characteristics in a sample of toddlers under age 3 yr diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (N = 75). Implications for practice are discussed. Primary Author and Speaker: Scott Tomchek Additional Authors and Speakers: Lauren Little, Evan Dean, Winnie Dunn

Evidence Connection articles provide a clinical application of systematic reviews developed in conjunction with the American Occupational Therapy Association’s (AOTA’s) Evidence-Based Practice Project. In this Evidence Connection article, we describe a case report of an adolescent with autism spectrum disorder. The occupational therapy assessment and treatment processes for school, home, community, and transition settings are described. Findings from the systematic reviews on this topic were published in the September/October 2015 issue of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy and in AOTA’s Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Each article in this series summarizes the evidence from the published reviews on a given topic and presents an application of the evidence to a related clinical case. Evidence Connection articles illustrate how the research evidence from the reviews can be used to inform and guide clinical decision making.

Date Presented 4/8/2016 Parents of children who are eventually diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have concerns about their child’s development prior to diagnosis, but we are unaware of any differences in the concerns of parents of children eventually diagnosed with ASD versus parents of children that do not receive a diagnosis. We evaluated 1,250 parent concerns in a community-based sample. Primary Author and Speaker: Anna Wallisch Additional Authors and Speakers: Scott Tomchek, Lauren Little Contributing Authors: Lauren Little, Scott Tomchek

Date Presented 4/8/2016 The literature emphasizes sensory processing contributions to challenging behavior in children with conditions. Our findings illustrate that children in the general population show similar relationships. By recognizing these relationships, we can better support all children’s participation. Primary Author and Speaker: Evan Dean Additional Authors and Speakers: Scott Tomchek, Winnie Dunn, Lauren Little

Date Presented 4/8/2016 The literature emphasizes sensory patterns among vulnerable populations. Our findings illustrate that children in the general population have similar patterns. By recognizing these similarities, we can study children who are participating successfully to discover how they manage everyday life. Primary Author and Speaker: Winnie Dunn Additional Authors and Speakers: Scott Tomchek, Lauren Little, Evan Dean

Date Presented 4/8/2016 This session will describe the relationships between sensory processing patterns and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk (as measured by ASD screening measures) in a sample of toddlers diagnosed with ASD. Early identification and intervention implications for occupational therapy practitioners will be discussed. Primary Author and Speaker: Scott Tomchek Additional Author and Speaker: Evan Dean, Winnie Dunn, Lauren Little

Date Presented 4/16/2015 This study describes subtypes/profiles of children on the basis of sensory processing patterns and child characteristics in a large sample of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; n = 400) between ages 3 and 6 yr. Implications for practice are discussed.

Date Presented 4/17/2015 In this session, we present the findings of a study in which we investigated the developmental stability of the seeking-sensory pattern though age groups and across clinical diagnostic groups. Implications for assessment and intervention planning of occupational therapy practitioners are discussed.