Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Children and Adolescents with Challenges in Sensory Processing and Sensory Integration

Book excerpt: Occupational therapy is steeped in the sciences that provide knowledge and understanding of human development and function and the variables that influence these aspects of human life. The registration, processing, and integration of sensory information can both support and inhibit the ability for children and adolescents to function in their environment. Up to 15% of school-age children are believed to have sensory challenges, and at least 40% of individuals with developmental disabilities and 80% of those with autism are affected. Using an evidence-based perspective and key concepts from the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process, this new AOTA Practice Guideline provides an overview and insight into occupational therapy evaluation and intervention for youth that experience sensory information difficulties. Designed primarily for clinical practitioners, this important practice guideline from AOTA Press is a vital reference for occupational therapy students and educators and provides a clear definition on the role of occupational therapy services for policymakers and other health care professionals who work with children and adolescents that face these challenges.