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Introduction: Increasingly, autistic adolescents and adults are accessing occupational therapy. However, limited evidence exists on the type of supports that are important to them. Examining the patterns of supports valued by autistic adolescents and adults will inform the design of occupational therapy services. Therefore, this study aimed to identify what supports autistic adolescents and adults believed to be the most important. Methods: This study involved two anonymous online surveys. Survey one involved 54 items and was distributed to caregivers of autistic adolescents and/or adults. Survey two included 41 items and was distributed to self‐reporting autistic adults. Surveys sought closed and open‐ended responses about the support needs of autistic individuals living in Australia. Quantitative data were analysed as counts and frequencies of responses, whereas short‐answer responses were analysed through content analysis. Community and consumer involvement: There was no consumer or community involvement in the completion of this project. Results: A total of 68 caregivers of autistic adolescents or adults and 59 self‐reporting adults completed the survey resulting in 127 responses. Quantitative data from both autistic adolescents' and adults' closed‐answer responses showed that the highest support needs were for supporting participation in employment and supporting health and wellbeing. Content analysis of open‐ended responses, performed separately for each participant group, revealed six categories: employment, promoting independence, supporting positive social and communication experiences, supporting health and wellbeing, caregiver support, and promoting autism acceptance. Conclusion: Results highlight that autistic individuals and their caregivers have a diverse range of priorities, all of which align with the scope of occupational therapy practice. Differences between the priorities of autistic individuals and their caregivers highlight the importance of therapists providing person and family‐centred approaches tailored towards both the autistic person's and their caregiver's needs. Plain language summary: Increasingly, autistic adolescents and adults are accessing occupational therapy services. However, limited information exists regarding the type of supports that are important to them. Understanding what supports are valued by autistic adolescents and adults will support occupational therapists deliver effective and individualised services. Therefore, this study aimed to identify what supports autistic adolescents and adults believed to be the most important to them. This study involved two anonymous online surveys. Survey one was completed by caregivers of autistic adolescents and/or adults. Survey two was completed by self‐reporting autistic adults. Surveys included both open‐ended and closed‐answer responses to better understand the support needs of autistic individuals living in Australia. A total of 68 caregivers of autistic adolescents or adults and 59 self‐reporting adults completed the survey resulting in 127 responses. Closed‐answer response questions from both the caregivers and self‐reporting autistic adolescents and adults showed that the highest support needs were for supporting participation in employment and supporting health and wellbeing. Open‐ended response questions revealed six main priorities including, employment, promoting independence, supporting positive social and communication experiences, supporting health and wellbeing, caregiver support, and promoting autism acceptance. This study found that autistic individuals and their caregivers have a diverse range of priorities, all of which align with the scope of occupational therapy. Further, participant responses highlight the importance of therapists providing person and family‐centred approaches tailored towards both the autistic person's and their caregiver's needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Literature regarding simulation for learning interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) indicates a need to include a range of health professions and to focus on students' development of team communication and conflict resolution skills in day-to-day healthcare delivery. This study evaluated the impact of interprofessional simulation for occupational therapy, physiotherapy, dietetics, and nursing students on interprofessional collaboration competencies, specifically collaborative communication and conflict resolution during day-to-day interactions, and their intention for IPCP during placement. A series of simulations featuring the potential for interprofessional conflict and involving explicit coaching on communication and conflict resolution were conducted. A single cohort pre-test post-test design included the Students' Perceptions of Interprofessional Clinical Education Revised (SPICE-R), the Interprofessional Collaborative Competencies Attainment Survey (ICCAS), and an open response survey question on future intended practice. A total of 237 students participated in the simulation experience. Overall scores and scores on all IPCP competencies in the ICASS (n = 193) and SPICE-R (n = 226) improved for all professions post-simulation. The mean score of the ICCAS increased for 98% of the respondents and similarly the mean score of the SPICE-R increased for 71% of the respondents. Open-ended responses indicated students' intentions to pursue self-leadership in IPCP. Students who participated in an interprofessional simulation reported perceived improvements in IPCP competencies and were encouraged to initiate IPCP when on placement in the practice setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research focused on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is often deficit‐focused, limiting a holistic understanding of individuals' support needs. Families of adolescents with FASD also struggle to access appropriate services. Using semi‐structured interviews, the current study explored the perspectives of seven caregivers of adolescents with FASD in Australia. Interpretative phenomenological analysis revealed that anxiety was perceived as a main barrier to participation for adolescents; however, incorporating adolescents' strengths facilitated participation. Additionally, caregivers described that professionals did not effectively collaborate and lacked understanding of FASD. Considering these findings, recommendations to optimise outcomes for adolescents with FASD and their families are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractOccupational therapy’s whole-person approach is well-suited to address the complex needs of children and youth with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). However, literature regarding best practices for occupational therapy practitioners working with this population is lacking. This article delineates the role and scope of occupational therapy practice for children and youth with FASD, focusing on holistic and strengths-based approaches. The value of occupational therapy practice is illustrated through application of the person-environment-occupation-performance model and case examples at key developmental stages. Understanding occupational therapy’s scope of practice will support the growth of the profession’s role and facilitate successful participation of children with FASD in everyday life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinicians are increasingly required to work and learn interprofessionally, yet few studies explore the nature of being interprofessional. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of clinicians who identify as interprofessional or have an interprofessional identity. Interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) was applied as a qualitative research approach and analytical method. Fifteen key informants from a range of professions, settings, and roles were recruited via purposive sampling. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews, observation of participants’ day-to-day practice, and review of organizational documents, and analyzed using IPA. Six interdependent Group Experiential Themes were developed: (i) The power of person-centered holistic care, (ii) Learning and growth through curiosity, reflection, and willingness to be vulnerable, (iii) Welcomes, values, and empowers all others, (iv) Trust and mutual respect through belonging and connection, (v) The contribution of background and previous experiences, and (vi) The influence of workplace context. Each Group Experiential Theme had between two and nine sub-themes. Results support the value of understanding and making explicit the concepts that comprise clinician interprofessional identity. The findings can be used to support clinicians, educators, leaders, and policy makers to develop and sustain interprofessional identity, and subsequently cultivate a culture of interprofessional collaborative practice. Future research is needed to further explore the themes, investigate their inter-relationships, and present the concepts that comprise clinician interprofessional identity in a way that is accessible to healthcare professionals and facilitates their integration into practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]