Telemonitoring as a strategy for the intervention of occupational therapy of children and adolescents with autistic spectrum disorders in the pandemic context

Abstract

Introduction: Occupational Therapy has acted from the perspective of the subjects' daily lives and their ways of living, given the transformations, impacts, and consequences generated by the pandemic of COVID-19. Among the possibilities of work of the occupational therapist, there is telemonitoring. Objective: To report an experience of a university extension project regarding the telemonitoring of children and adolescents with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. Method: The project team is composed of a teacher from Occupational Therapy Department, and graduate and undergraduate students. A survey of the demands and interests of the families was carried out, and thirteen children and two teenagers were subsequently selected for telemonitoring actions. Results: The interventions are aimed at an organization of daily life, routine, and family orientation. It is pointed out that the care offered was not restricted to the family nucleus, so regular monitoring and support for school teams were also carried out. Conclusion: Telemonitoring enabled the continuity of care, as well as support for the care network, promoting a welcoming, qualified listening and guidance, based on what has been proposed by the care guidelines and public policies.