Structured Sensory-Based Occupational Therapy in Children With Autism

This controlled clinical study will evaluate the effects of a structured sensory‐basedoccupational therapy intervention on occupational performance, sensory processing, grossmotor development, and eating behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder.A total of 40 children aged 3‐9 years with Level 2 autism spectrum disorder will beassigned to a structured sensory‐based occupational therapy group (n=20) or a controlgroup (n=20). The intervention group will receive 40‐minute, face‐to‐face occupationaltherapy sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks. The sessions will be structured according toeach child's sensory and functional needs and will be progressively adapted based on thechild's clinical development. The control group will receive individualized homerecommendations, which will be monitored weekly using information and visual recordsprovided by caregivers.Assessments will be performed at baseline and after 12 weeks. Occupational performanceand satisfaction will be evaluated using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure,sensory processing using the Dunn Sensory Profile, gross motor development using the Testof Gross Motor Development‐Third Edition, and eating behaviors using the Children'sEating Behaviour Questionnaire.