Journal of Psychiatry

Parental perspectives on functionality in autism: COPM goals established with parents of children served by MIG®

6^th European Autism Congress

May 27-28, 2024 | Paris, France

Fernanda Rocha de Freitas, Amanda A A C Nascimento, Ms, TREINITEC, Brazil, Thalita K F Cruz, PhD, TREINITEC, Brazil, Deisiane O Souto, PhD, TREINITEC, Brazil, Gabriela S Oliveira, Mss, TREINITEC, Brazil, Arthur F B Lima, Mr, TREINITEC, Brazil, Vitor Geraldi Haase, PhD, TREINITEC, Brazil, Renato G Loffi, Mr, TREINITEC, Brazil

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Psychiatry

Abstract:

Collaborative actions between family and therapists are essential for developing intervention strategies to promote functionality. The Global Integration Method (“Método de Integração Global”, MIG), a holistic/integrative, interdisciplinary, family-oriented and naturalistic program, considers that therapeutic goals must be established together with the family. The objective of this study was to investigate the functional demands identified as important by the families of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) served by the MIG program. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: In this cross-sectional study, 203 Brazilian children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD (139 boys), aged between 1.8 to 18.3 (6.79±3.64) years, and their families answered the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) to identify the functional demands that they consider important goals for rehabilitation. The functional demands were classified into American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) categories and subcategories. Information about the severity level was also obtained to better comprehend the functional demands. Findings: A total of 934 functional demands were listed by parents. According to that, the main functional demands presented by parents were related to Activities of Daily Living (52.7%). Specifically, the most frequent AOTA subcategories listed were: eating (11.9%), personal hygiene (11.6%), mental functions (11.3%) and dressing (11.1%). The functional demands identified by parents were also analyzed at the three different severity levels of ASD. The most frequent subcategories for the three groups are presented in figure 01. Parental involvement in decision-making about therapeutic goals is considered an important element in the rehabilitation process. This result illustrates the use of standardized instrumentation to define the goal priorities for families of children and adolescents with ASD. By identifying functional goals for the family, professionals who promote functionality by MIG program can make therapy more effective and meaningful for the child and family.

Biography :

Amanda Aparecida Alves Cunha Nascimento is Occupational Therapist and Master’s Degree student at Neuroscience Program from the Federal University of Minas Gerais - UFMG. She is developing studies to investigate the major functional priorities of parents and caregivers of children and adolescentes with neurodevelopmental disorders. She is currently a Researcher and technical-scientific Consultant for the TREINI®, MIG® and MINP® Intensive Methods at TREINITEC, a private sector company that develops products and services for the rehabilitation of children and adolescents with disabilities.