Building Executive Functioning to Facilitate Instrumental Activities of Daily Living for Emerging Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Building Executive Functioning to Facilitate Instrumental Activities of Daily Living for Emerging Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder K. A. Lavin, OTD, OTR/L Abstract Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurologically based developmental disorder that can affect an individual’s thinking, feeling, language development and social interactions (American Psychiatric Association, 2017). These symptoms frequently limit independence in instrumental activities of daily living. There is growing evidence that executive dysfunction may contribute to these functional deficits. The prevalence of ASD continues to rise and today is identified in approximately 1 in 68 children. As a result, more and more occupational therapists are finding themselves working with individuals with ASD. Facilitation of cognitive processes (which includes executive function) through the use of occupations and activities, is within the scope of practice for occupational therapists (Giles et al., 2013); However, there is a significant lack of evidence-based interventions that address executive functioning for emerging adults with ASD. The program outlined was developed to address this identified need. It is a comprehensive program based on current research that facilitates instrumental activities of daily living by addressing underlying executive functioning skills. A thorough literature review, methods for program implementation, and program evaluation are described. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jpbs.v6n2a1