Babak Kashefimehr

Objectives: Short child occupational profile (SCOPE) screening tool is used to assess different factors of functional abilities and record the progress levels of individuals in occupational therapy interventions. This study aimed to validate a Persian version of the SCOPE test. Methods: This methodological research was conducted in two stages, including translation and psychometric properties. A total of 182 people aged 3-21 years were recruited using the convenience sampling method for the second stage. Results: The results of the content validity of the questionnaire were in acceptable ranges. The total intra-class correlation coefficient and total Cronbach's α were 0.97 and 0.93, respectively. The results of the discriminant validity between the normal and disabled groups showed significant differences between the normal and disabled groups in all items of the questionnaire. Discussion: The findings demonstrated that the Persian version of the SCOPE questionnaire could be used as a valid and reliable tool.

Abstract Background/Aims Caring for children with cerebral palsy may affect different domains in the caregiver's life. This study aimed to compare the occupational performance of mothers of a child who has cerebral palsy with mothers of a typically developing child. Methods A total of 41 mothers with a child who has cerebral palsy and 45 mothers with a typically developing child were recruited in this cross-sectional study. The age-matched mothers had only one child. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure was used to collect data on the occupational performance and satisfaction of mothers. Findings There was a statistically significant between-group difference in maternal occupational performance and occupational satisfaction (P<0.05), with mothers of children with cerebral palsy reporting lower scores for both. There were no relationships between demographic variables and the occupational performance and satisfaction of mothers with a child with cerebral palsy (P>0.05). The age of children with cerebral palsy had a direct positive relationship with the mothers' level of occupational satisfaction (P<0.05). Conclusion Mothers who take care of a child with cerebral palsy face significant reductions in occupational performance and satisfaction compared to mothers with a typically developing child, and therefore may need help and education in performing and organising their daily activities and roles.

Abstract: Background and Aim: Occupational performance Coaching is an intervention to work with parents to achieve the goals of their occupational performance as well as their children. The present study intends to define and review the studies carried out in this area. Materials and Methods: To carry out the present descriptive review article, a comprehensive search was performed using the key word coaching, occupational performance coaching, and occupational therapy in the following databases: CINAHL, Medline, Science Direct, Pubmed, Wiley Online Library, ProQuest, ProQuest Dissertations, and Google scholar, during the period 2009 to 2014. Results: Three articles and a Master’s thesis, examining the impact of implementing Occupational Performance Coaching by occupational therapists on clients with various conditions, were identified. Because of the small number of studies in this area, regardless of the methodology, based on the inclusion criteria, all the four interventional studies were selected. The remaining articles were used to support the findings. Conclusion: Occupational performance Coaching is according to the core of occupational therapy and since it a family-centered method, it is an appropriate intervention for parents. However, due to the shortcoming of the existing studies, more studies should be conducted with stronger methodologies.

Abstract Background/Aims Motor skills difficulties may affect participation and communication in children with autism. Sensory processing problems are well-known problems in children with autism, so sensory processing could be important to predicate motor skills. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between sensory processing and occupational motor skills and the ability to predict motor skill performances using sensory abilities. Methods A total of 31 children with autism participated in the study. The Sensory Profile questionnaire and Short Child Occupational Profile tool were used to assess the sensory ability and occupational motor skills of the children (boys=90.3%; mean age=5.45 years ± 1.73 years). The backward method of correlation coefficient analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, and multiple regressions were used for statistical analysis. Results There was a significant relationship between occupational motor skills and sensory processing capabilities of children. The regression prediction equation was statistically significant in all sections of sensory processing except for oral processing (F (6.24)=4.46, P=0.004), with a value of R2=0.527 and R2Adj=0.409. Modelling motor skills based on sensory processing capabilities of children showed that the regression prediction equation was statistically significant (F (2.28) =11.87, P<0.001); with the value of R2=0.459 and R2Adj=0.420. In the final model, the factors of auditory processing and multi-sensory were found effective in children's motor skills (P<0.05). Conclusions Sensory processing is related to occupational motor skills and can help to predict occupational motor skill issues of children with autism spectrum disorder. This could be helpful to develop appropriate treatments to improve the functional motor skills of children with autism.

Sensory processing problems and related dysfunctions are among the most common conditions in children with autism spectrum disorder. This study examined the effect of sensory integration therapy on different aspects of occupational performance in children with ASD. The study was conducted on an intervention group receiving SIT and a control group with 3- to 8-year-old children with ASD. The Short Child Occupational Profile was used to compare the two groups in terms of the changes in their occupational performance and the Sensory Profile was used to assess sensory problems. The intervention group showed significantly greater improvement in all the SCOPE domains, as well as in all the SP domains, except for the “emotional reactions” and “emotional/social responses” domains,. The effectiveness of SIT in improving occupational performance in children with ASD as a health-related factor is supported by our findings.