Abstract
<jats:p>In order to systematize modern theoretical and methodological approaches to occupational therapy intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) based on the analysis of etiological, pathogenetic and clinical aspects of the condition, peculiarities of psychomotor development of young children with signs of autism. A systematic review of the scientific literature in the timeframe of 2013–2025 was conducted using the Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. The search was conducted using the following keywords: autism spectrum disorder, occupational therapy, psychomotor development, ICF framework, sensory integration.The inclusion criteria were original studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses in English and Ukrainian. The prevalence of ASD worldwide is 1 % to 2 % of the pediatric population, with a tendency to increase in recent decades. The etiology of the disease is multifactorial in nature with the involvement of genetic and environmental factors, with estimated 64–91 % to be due to heredity. Psychomotor development of children with autism is characterized by developmental deficits in basic motor skills, sensory integration and coordination. The International Classification of Functioning (ICF) provides a biopsychosocial approach to evaluating the child and planning interventions. Occupational therapy methods demonstrate effectiveness in improving sensory, communication and social skills. An important element of the occupational therapy process is determining the goals for rehabilitation intervention and assessing its effectiveness. Of particular significance in the occupational therapy process is the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), which is a standardized client-centered occupational therapy outcome measure designed to identify problems in performing daily activities in the areas of self-care, productivity, and leisure. The COPM is widely used in both clinical practice and scientific research to plan, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions. Children with autism may have significant difficulties in performing daily activities, which negatively impacts their participation in the family, educational, and social environment. The COPM allows occupational therapy intervention to focus on activities that are meaningful specifically for a particular child and his or her family, which is consistent with the principles of family- and client-centered practice. The COPM is characterized by high sensitivity to change, which makes it an effective tool for monitoring the results of occupational therapy in children with autism spectrum disorders. In scientific reviews, the COPM is defined as one of the most common and valid tools for measuring the results of occupational therapy in preschool and primary school children with autism. The use of the COPM in the development of individual rehabilitation programs will provide a patient-centered and problem-oriented approach to the rehabilitation of individuals with ASD and is an objective tool for assessing the effectiveness of occupational therapy intervention. A comprehensive approach to occupational therapy intervention, based on the principles of the ICF and taking into account the individual characteristics of the child's psychomotor development, is a necessary prerequisite for effective rehabilitation of children with ASD.</jats:p>