Autismo en infancia y adolescenciaImportancia del funcionamiento sensorial y ejecutivo en contextos naturales

Abstract

Three scientific articles make up this doctoral thesis, entitled "AUTISM childhood and adolescence: importance of sensory and executive functioning in natural contexts", which follows the modality by compendium of publications. Knowing the level of support needed, through ecological assessments, which include multiple processes and data collection from different settings in order to adapt them to the needs of children and adolescents with autism, is essential for interventions to minimize challenges at the sensory level and at the executive level, determining the factors that specifically support or hinder occupational performance in all occupations and contexts. The evaluation process therefore focuses on finding out what is wanted and what needs to be done, establishing what can be done and what has been done, and identifying the necessary support to eradicate the parapets that may influence participation, functionality and therefore, the quality of life of people with autism. The main objective of the thesis is to determine the influence of sensory and executive functioning in childhood and adolescence in people with autism in contexts such as school and home. The study on sensory functioning provides information on the different form of sensory processing of people with autism, compared to children and adolescents of typical development. Studies that deal with executive functions contribute to clarifying the difficulties in the executive functioning of children and adolescents with autism and, therefore, the need to design and implement adequate and adapted interventions that favor this group in their school stage.