The daily life of people in the aging process with Autistic Spectrum Disorder from the perspective of Occupational Therapy

• Grant number: 23/00551-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2023
• End date: December 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Andrea Perosa Saigh Jurdi
• Grantee: Vitória Revnei de Jesus Reis
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The lack of information about people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and aging processes is still a reality, creating barriers to accessing, analyzing and understanding the different contexts and needs of these people. The field of Occupational Therapy has produced few studies on ASD in relation to aging processes and how they reverberate in occupations and in the daily lives of people with ASD, family members and/or caregivers. The objectives of this research are: to understand how the daily life of elderly people with ASD is structured, from the perspective of the family/caregivers or the individual himself; if the occupations that make up the routine promote the participation of elderly people with ASD; identify the daily activities that favor the autonomy and independence of these people and how Occupational Therapy can contribute to the daily activities of this group. Qualitative research will use a semi-structured interview script as a data production instrument. Participants will be people with autism from 60 years old. Data will be analyzed from thematic content analysis. It is expected to identify the main daily activities developed by elderly people with ASD and which of them promote autonomy and independence for these individuals. In addition, understanding the ways of life and relationships established with caregivers/relatives and what are the impacts of Occupational Therapy intervention on ASD experiences.