Occupational therapy practitioners are among the professionals who provide services to children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), embracing both leadership and supportive roles in service delivery. The study's primary aims were as follows: (1) to identify, evaluate, and synthesize the research literature on interventions for ASD of relevance to occupational therapy and (2) to interpret and apply the research literature to occupational therapy. A total of 49 articles met the authors' criteria and were included in the review. Six categories of research topics were identified, the first 3 of which are most closely related to occupational therapy: (1) sensory integration and sensory-based interventions; (2) relationship-based, interactive interventions; (3) developmental skill-based programs; (4) social cognitive skill training; (5) parent-directed or parent-mediated approaches; and (6) intensive behavioral intervention. Under each category, themes supported by research evidence and applicable to occupational therapy were defined. The findings have implications for intervention methods, communication regarding efficacious practices to professionals and consumers, and future occupational therapy research.

Evidence-Based Practice Project. Thirty-three articles were analyzed and synthesized. The strongest results were found for multifactorial programs that included home evaluations and home modifications, physical activity or exercise, education, vision and medication checks, or assistive technology to prevent falls. Positive outcomes included a decreased rate of functional decline, a decrease in fear of falling, and an increase in physical factors such as balance and strength. The strength of the evidence for physical activity and home modification programs provided individually was moderate. Implications for practice, education, and research are also discussed. T his systematic review was part of a larger project that reviewed research studies examining the effect of occupation-and activity-based interventions designed to promote and support productive aging. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize existing literature to answer the following focused question: "What is the evidence for the effect of home modification and fall prevention programs on the performance of community-dwelling older adults?" We reviewed the effect of home modification as both a separate intervention and a component of several fall prevention programs. Fall prevention programs that studied the effects of physical activity interventions on strength, endurance, or balance, such as exercise-based or tai chi intervention programs, were also included in this review.

In this systematic review, we investigated research literature evaluating the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions focusing on participation and performance in occupations related to paid and unpaid employment and education for people with serious mental illness. The review included occupation-and activity-based interventions and interventions addressing performance skills, aspects of the environment, activity demands, and client factors. The results indicate that strong evidence exists for the effectiveness of supported employment using individual placement and support to result in competitive employment. These outcomes are stronger when combined with cognitive or social skills training. Supported education programs emphasizing goal setting, skill development, and cognitive training result in increased participation in educational pursuits. The evidence for instrumental activities of daily living interventions that targeted specific homemaking occupations and supported parenting was limited but positive. Environmental cognitive supports, such as signs, and other compensatory strategies are useful in managing maladaptive behavior. Focused Clinical QuestionWhat occupational therapy interventions are effective for improving and maintaining participation and performance in paid and unpaid employment (volunteer opportunities, home management, child care) and education for adults with severe mental illness?Objective of the Evidence-Based Literature ReviewThe objective was to systematically investigate research literature evaluating the effectiveness of interventions within occupational therapy's scope of practice that focus on participation and performance in occupations related to paid and unpaid employment and education for people with serious mental illness. The systematic review included occupation-and activity-based interventions and interventions addressing performance skills, aspects of the environment, activity demands, and client factors.