The therapeutic relationship between occupational therapy practitioners, autistic children, and their caregivers is paramount: caregivers’ perspectives and experiences

Purpose Caregivers of autistic children are critical to the therapeutic process. However, gaps exist in our understanding of caregivers’ experiences, clinicians’ comfort, and clinicians’ skill sets when involving caregivers in the therapeutic relationship with their autistic child. This study aimed to explore the caregiver experience within the therapeutic relationship.Method Eight caregivers of autistic children aged 3–10 years old engaged in individual, semi-structured interviews sharing their experiences working with occupational therapists and their autistic children. Data was analyzed through thematic analysis following a descriptive qualitative approach.Findings Three themes were generated. Caregivers emphasized that the therapeutic relationship, including connection and a sense of belonging, is paramount and precedes any work toward therapy goals. The second theme demonstrates the benefits of a positive therapeutic relationship and the caregiver’s active role in the therapeutic process. The final theme outlined the roles and responsibilities of the caregiver and the occupational therapy practitioner within the therapeutic relationship.Conclusion Occupational therapy practitioners must purposefully establish a therapeutic relationship, including connection and a sense of belonging, to support the therapeutic process with autistic children and their caregivers. Further research is needed to investigate the therapeutic relationship from the perspective of the autistic child.