OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY INTERVENTIONS ON COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and interaction, as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Children with ASD may experience difficulties in attention, working memory, planning, cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, and executive functions. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of virtual reality-supported cognitive-focused occupational therapy on cognitive performance, occupational performance, and motivation in children with ASD. A total of 32 children with ASD aged 6-12 years will be assigned to either the intervention group (n=16) or the control group (n=16). The intervention group will receive virtual reality-supported cognitive-focused occupational therapy for 40 minutes once a week for 8 weeks, while the control group will receive structured occupational therapy sessions with the same frequency and duration. Cognitive performance, occupational performance, and motivation will be assessed using the Dynamic Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (DLOTCA), the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), and the Pediatric Motivation Scale (PMS), respectively.

Inclusion Criteria: Aged between 6 and 12 years. Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Level 1 according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. Able to stand and ambulate independently. Able to follow basic instructions and interact within a virtual environment. Voluntary participation of the child and/or legal guardian in the study and provision of written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: History of epilepsy. Presence of vestibular system disorders or complaints of vertigo. Presence of severe cardiovascular disorders. Inability to use the virtual reality application due to severe visual impairment. Diagnosis of a severe neurological or psychiatric disorder other than Autism Spectrum Disorder. Having a condition that may require medical treatment or a different intervention during the study period. Inability to understand the virtual reality experience or appropriately follow instructions. Demonstrating difficulties in cooperation at a level that prevents the implementation of the SmartPose system.