Addressing Puberty Challenges for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Delhi-NCR: Occupational Therapy Perspectives

Abstract

Significant physical, emotional, and social changes occur during adolescence. Particularly during puberty, these changes might pose special difficulties for those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the opinions of occupational therapists in Delhi-NCR on the difficulties that adolescents with ASD encounter throughout puberty and the strategies they employ to help them.

Methods: Targeting occupational therapists in Delhi-NCR who work with adolescents having ASD, a descriptive survey study was carried out using the OT-APS survey. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques were applied to the data analysis.

Results: The survey was completed by sixty occupational therapists in total. The majority of respondents cited parent concerns (n=42, 70%), social expectations (n=26, 43.3%), and sexual changes (n=19, 31.6%) were the most commonly addressed challenges. Ayres Sensory integration treatment approaches and parent training approaches were the most commonly used intervention strategies, followed by behavioral strategies and behavioral skills training.

Conclusions: Puberty is a crucial and difficult developmental stage for teenagers with ASD. The results underscore the need for focused, customized interventions that target social skills, emotional regulation, and sensory processing.