The Utility of an Occupational Therapy Intervention Using Information and Communication Technology during the COVID-19 Infection: An Intervention Report of a University Student with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

A client living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) went to the university and lived alone for the first time. Given the coronavirus situation, he participated in on-demand classes from his apartment from the beginning of his enrollment, and as a result over time he became unable to sustain a distinction between his academic and personal time. As a consequence, he was no longer able to complete his class assignments and, therefore, asked us for help. We implemented remote occupational therapy (OT) using information and communication technology (ICT). We emphasized teaching instrumental daily activities, daily scheduling, communication, and mental health maintenance. We implemented an OT program that encouraged the client to re-establish his daily rhythms. The program improved the client’s daytime routine and allowed them to work on assignments for on-demand classes at the university. We show that using ICT to work on the study of this case (1) does not depend on physical distance, (2) can work when needed, (3) can work as many times as needed in a day, and (4) can provide continuous support in place of face-to-face contact. These findings suggest that regular remote OT visits may help students living with ASD to continue with their university life.