Therapeutic Relationship Between Occupational Therapists, Autistic Clients, and Their Caregivers: Pediatric Occupational Therapists’ Perspectives and Experiences

The aim of this study was to understand how to develop and maintain a therapeutic relationship with autistic children and their caregivers. Ten pediatric occupational therapists participated in this descriptive qualitative study by engaging in semi-structured interviews, answering open-ended questions about their clinical practice working with autistic children and their caregivers. Data was analyzed with thematic analysis resulting in three themes. The first theme describes a relationship-based therapeutic process that allows the occupational therapy practitioner to partner with the caregiver and to utilize co-regulation to support the autistic child. The second theme highlighted the importance of the occupational therapy practitioner as a facilitator or barrier to the development of the relationship. Lastly, several external factors were found to limit a relationship-based approach and to challenge therapists' well-being and longevity in clinical practice settings. This study identified that the therapeutic relationship is dynamic and critical for the success of occupational therapy with autistic children and their caregivers.