抄録
Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive and atypical behavior with deficits in social communication and interaction. These deficits have challenged occupational therapists in Indonesia on how to interact with individuals with ASD, and to create a therapeutic relationship for occupational development. It is the continuing advancement in occupational behaviors across an individual’s life course, resulting from the growth and maturation.
Objectives: This study was conducted to develop a model of occupational development therapeutic relationship for individuals with ASD from the perspective of Indonesian occupational therapists.
Methods: Obtaining ethical clearance from Tokyo Metropolitan University in Japan, the study implemented the grounded theory. Purposive sampling was applied, and 19 Indonesian occupational therapists were recruited as participants. Four focus group interviews were conducted online from May to July 2020. Data were collected from interview transcripts and pictures of interventions in each participant’s facility. A constant comparison was applied to the analysis.
Results: Four themes that structured as a process formed a model of occupational development therapeutic relationship in ASD intervention. The process starts with a click, and finally, results in developing occupational engagement in which occupational performance and participation are expected as occupational therapy outcomes. The findings are illustrated by quotes taken from the interview transcripts to ground from an authentic perspective.
Conclusions: This model compromises a simple yet dense process of occupational development therapeutic relationships. Specifically conceptualized for individuals with ASD allows the model to focus on addressing how occupational therapists interact and empower individuals with ASD and their families. Implications of the finding is significant for policy, theory, practice and further research in occupational therapy.
