TOPIC

School-based research

Everything we have read on school-based. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

582 PAPERS · PAGE 9 OF 12 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPOther2024A Longitudinal Mixed-Methods Characterization of Family Support from Adolescence to Young Adulthood in Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAs autistic youth reach adulthood, family support remains the most helpful and valued resource, while formal professional support declines significantly. Caregivers shift from needing practical help to valuing emotional partnership and dependability. Clinicians should prioritize assessing family networks, not just clinical services.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Expectations for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders or Intellectual Disabilities in Ghana: A Comparison Between Service Providers and Parents.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents expect children with autism or intellectual disability to achieve independence more than teachers and healthcare providers do. Providers rated independence as highly important but doubted it would happen. Aligning these expectations is crucial to avoid conflicting care goals.
• OTQualitative2025Navigating the Transition to Adulthood: Insights from Caregivers of Autistic Individuals.Journal of autism and developmental disordersNine of ten caregivers of autistic adults said services stopped after high school. They described hunting for adult supports, confusing Regional Center information, long waits, and programs that ignored their child's interests, leaving families exhausted.
• OTSurvey2024School participation of autistic youths: The influence of youth, family and school factors.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceProblems with the physical school environment were the only factor linked to lower school participation after handling missing data. Age was linked to more participation in original data, but not after handling missing data. Family factors and autistic traits were not linked.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Validating the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Sets for Autism in a Sample of Australian School-Aged Children on the Spectrum.Journal of autism and developmental disordersCaregiver ratings matched autism core sets for attention and social tasks, but missed key facilitators like assets and motivation. Many ICF terms were unclear to parents, requiring simplified definitions before clinical use.
• OTSLPQualitative2024Using Q-sort method to explore autistic students' views of the impacts of their anxiety at school.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic students reported anxiety most strongly impacted schoolwork, making it hard to start, concentrate, or do their best. They also described freezing, masking feelings, and struggling to listen. These varied impacts mean a single anxiety profile does not fit all students.
• OTQualitative2024Caregiver-centred empowerment for families raising autistic children: A qualitative case study from Argentina.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceIn Argentina, caregivers of autistic children said empowerment meant learning rights, finding peer support and creating local solutions. Poverty, insurance barriers and weak policy implementation often blocked access to services and support.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025COVID-19 Pandemic Experiences of Families in Which a Child/Youth Has Autism and Their Service Providers: Perspectives and Lessons Learned.Journal of autism and developmental disordersFamilies and providers described navigating unclear essential service designations and rapid shifts to virtual care. While some found virtual options flexible, providers struggled to engage children remotely. Parents reported increased stress and isolation, though some adapted by using online tools to maintain connections.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025'Nothing About Us, Without Us': Research Priorities for Autistic Girls, Women and Gender Diverse People in Australia.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic girls, women and gender diverse people in Australia prioritise research on trauma, adult support, and sensory needs over biological studies. They reject traditional therapy that ignores sensory overload and ask for clinicians who listen without gaslighting.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024The inequity of education, health and care plan provision for children and young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRIn England, children and young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were less likely to have an education, health and care plan if they lived in more deprived areas or outside London, despite below national expected attainment scores and high emotional and behavioural difficulties.
• PTOTSLPRCT2025Effects of Motor Intervention Program on Academic Skills, Motor Skills and Social Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersA 12-week motor program improved gross motor skills, pre-academic concepts like colors and numbers, and social cooperation in autistic preschoolers. The intervention group showed significantly lower autistic index scores and fewer behavioral problems compared to the control group.
• OTSLPCohort2025Mind the Gap: Executive Function Is Associated with the Discrepancy Between Cognitive and Adaptive Functioning in Autistic Children Without Cognitive Delay.Journal of autism and developmental disordersEmotional control problems were linked to a larger gap between autistic children's cognitive ability and everyday social skills, even when cognition was average. The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot show that improving emotional control would close that gap.
• OTOther2025Social connectedness and loneliness in school for autistic and allistic children.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic pupils in special schools were as physically connected as classmates but had fewer reciprocated friendships; loneliness did not differ overall. For autistic pupils, loneliness linked to being liked by the class, not face-to-face time.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025Does rehabilitation improve work participation in patients with chronic spinal pain after spinal surgery: a systematic review.Journal of rehabilitation medicineRehabilitation for chronic spinal pain after surgery showed mixed work results. One comparison against no treatment found higher return-to-work rates; the randomized trial found no employment change. Evidence is too limited for firm recommendations.
• OTSLPCohort2024Description and predictors of self-determination in males and females with fragile X syndrome on the verge of adulthood.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRCaregivers rated young adults with fragile X syndrome as having low ability to set and pursue their own goals, but many chances at home. School chances varied. Lower everyday skills and poorer social communication were linked to less goal-setting ability and fewer school chances.
• PTOTCohort2025Physical function and perceived pain following inpatient intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment for children and adolescents.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitationChildren and adolescents in a 4-week inpatient interdisciplinary pain program showed large improvements in physical function, motor proficiency, and occupational performance, alongside reduced pain. Without a control group, these gains cannot be definitively attributed to the program alone.
• OTCohort2025Natural history of cerebral visual impairment in children with cerebral palsy.Developmental medicine and child neurologyIn children with cerebral palsy and cerebral visual impairment, some visual functions changed with age. Optic disc abnormalities and strabismus became more common, while fixation, pursuit, saccades, acuity, contrast sensitivity and visual fields improved. No treatment was tested.
• OTSLPSystematic Review2025A systematic review: Which psycho-social-environmental factors do autistic students identify as being important for positive experiences in mainstream secondary school?Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic students prioritise understanding from adults, peer acceptance, and agency over sensory needs. They benefit from predictable environments, shared interests, and tools to communicate limits. Support should be tailored to fluctuating needs and respect boundaries to avoid negative peer judgement.
• OTPilot2024Preliminary development and evaluation of a mechanical handwriting assistive device to support individuals with movement disorders.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA mechanical pen holder helped six people with movement disorders write more legibly and faster. It stabilized the pen orientation and dampened tremors. The device is a prototype, so this shows potential rather than proven clinical effectiveness.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Developmental trajectories in infants and pre-school children with Neurofibromatosis 1.Molecular autismChildren with NF1 showed slower cognitive and motor development from 5 months, with clear differences by 24 months. Autism traits were high at 24 months but dropped at 36 months, likely due to remote testing. Screen and refer for intervention by age 2.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2024Social Determinants in COVID-19 Experiences of Children With Disabilities Receiving School-Based Services in Chicago: Mixed-Methods Study of Parent/Guardian Perspectives.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPParents of children with disabilities reported that remote learning and virtual therapy were less effective than in-person services. Key barriers included lack of hands-on interaction, insufficient accommodations, and family financial or housing constraints that limited access to private support.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2024A Comparison of Parent-Reported Severe Autism With Mild/Moderate Autism Among US Children.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPChildren with parent-reported severe autism had higher rates of intellectual disability, language delays, and emergency visits, but were no more likely to receive behavioral therapy or see specialists than those with mild/moderate autism. Caregivers faced significantly higher stress and financial burden.
• OTCase Report2024Teletherapy and Medication Management of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder with Co-occurring Internalizing Symptoms and Suicidality During the Pandemic.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPA young person with ADHD, anxiety, depression and suicidality improved after teletherapy engagement changes and a switch from atomoxetine and fluoxetine to guanfacine and escitalopram during hospitalization.
• OTSLPSystematic Review2025Disability barriers autistic girls face in secondary education: A systematic review.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic girls often mask difficulties to fit in, leading teachers to miss their need for support. They face barriers like sensory overload, exclusion, and gendered assumptions. Clinicians should advocate for quiet spaces, explicit social coaching, and recognizing that quiet compliance may hide significant struggle.
• OTSurvey2024Young Carers' Identification: Comparing Adolescents' and Parents' Perspectives.Child: care, health and developmentParents reported more household illness or disability than adolescents did, but adolescents reported more caring activities than parents did. Agreement on who was ill or disabled was low, so neither report alone captures young carers.
• OTSLPCohort2025Children's social preference for teachers versus peers in autism inclusion classrooms: An objective perspective.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchChildren with autism moved faster toward teachers and were approached faster by teachers than peers were. They also spent less time in social contact with peers. Teachers did not replace peer interaction, but peer engagement remained lower for children with autism.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2025'Who Listens to the Listener, Who Cares for the Carer?' A Cross-Sectional Study of Social Connectedness and Sleep Experiences of Young Siblings of Neurodivergent People.Child: care, health and developmentYoung siblings of neurodivergent people describe loneliness as having no one who understands their caring role. They carry anxiety about the future and fear burdening parents, so they rarely seek help. Most report sleep problems stem from worry, not their sibling's night waking.
• OTOther2025Trait and state mathematics anxiety in autistic and non-autistic school-aged boys.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceIn 110 boys aged 8 to 16, autistic boys reported more worries and less pleasant feelings during a timed math task, and scored lower, even though their long-term math anxiety questionnaire did not differ from non-autistic boys.
• PTOTQualitative2025Supervised exercise after minor stroke: an evaluation from the perspective of patients and healthcare professionals.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePatients were most motivated to exercise immediately after stroke, before daily life reorganized. Supervised hospital exercise felt safer and more engaging than municipal sessions, where patients felt less supported. Peer bonding and frequent follow-ups were key to maintaining activity.
• OTSLPQualitative2024Caregivers' expectations of their non-verbal autistic children in rural KwaZulu-Natal.The South African journal of communication disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir KommunikasieafwykingsCaregivers of non-verbal autistic children in rural KwaZulu-Natal expected communication, education and support, but inadequate explanation of diagnosis, language barriers and unclear therapy purpose shaped those expectations.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Atypical development of sequential manual motor planning and visuomotor integration in children with autism at early school-age: A longitudinal kinematic study.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceChildren with autism showed less benefit from seeing the goal in advance. Their motor planning relied more on feedback than prediction. This atypical visuomotor integration became more pronounced as they aged from 7 to 10 years.
• OTCohort2025What dimensions of school climate promote adaptive functioning in adolescents with ADHD? A prospective longitudinal study.Research in developmental disabilitiesFair but strict school rules were the strongest predictor of better emotional and social outcomes for adolescents with ADHD symptoms. Respectful teacher-student relationships also helped. However, school climate had no association with GPA.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Developmental Scores and Prevalence of Functional Difficulty Among Preschool Children in Kenya.Child: care, health and developmentNearly one in five preschoolers in Homa Bay and one in twelve in Kakuma had functional difficulties. In Kakuma, these children scored lower on development tests, but in Homa Bay they did not. This shows disability is common in mainstream Kenyan preschools and needs teacher support.
• PTOTSLPOther2025School Satisfaction Predicts Quality of Life for Children With Severe Developmental Disabilities and Their Families.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDParents' satisfaction with their child's school predicted quality of life for both the child and the family. The specific classroom placement or the number of services provided did not predict wellbeing. It is how well the school meets the child's needs that matters.
• OTSLPQualitative2025'We're Not in a Place Where We Can Thrive Yet': A Qualitative Exploration of Systems of Health Promotion in Primary Schools in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic.Child: care, health and developmentPrimary school teachers and principals described reduced capacity for health promotion after COVID. They prioritized academics, picked battles, and said schools cannot replace occupational therapists, speech and language therapists or other health professionals.
• PTOTCohort2025What is the level of work and societal participation in patients with pelvic ring injuries? A two-year prospective cohort study.Clinical rehabilitationTwo years after pelvic ring injury, 35% of patients had not recovered work or school activities and 18% had not recovered social participation. The main struggles were completing daily work and the time spent managing the injury. No injury factors predicted recovery.
• PTOTSLPPilot2025Relationship between visuospatial working memory and fine and gross motor skills in children with developmental disabilities: a preliminary study.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 30 children with autism, visuospatial working memory correlated with fine motor skills but not gross motor skills. The study was underpowered, so these links are preliminary and do not prove that memory training improves motor function.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Association Between Physical, Social, and Attitudinal Environments and Quality of Life in Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy: Insights From the SPARCLE Cross-Sectional Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationSupportive attitudes from teachers, therapists, and classmates were linked to better school quality of life. However, physical accessibility and home support showed no significant link to quality of life once pain, impairment, and parenting stress were considered.
• OTOther2025The Sustainability of Self-Help Groups for Caregivers of Children With Disabilities in Kilifi, Kenya: The Changing Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic.Child: care, health and developmentCaregivers of children with disabilities in Kilifi kept self-help groups connected through pandemic lockdowns by outdoor meetings, phone contact, savings and livelihood plans. Their reported quality of life was higher than parents with typically functioning children in four domains.
• OTQualitative2024Occupational therapy experiences of interprofessional collaboration in the support of autistic children.Australian occupational therapy journalAustralian OTs found collaboration with other professionals is hindered by NDIS funding limits and school access barriers. Success relied on established relationships, shared views on autism, and clear leadership roles, often falling to parents when coordinators were absent.
• OTSLPQualitative2024An evaluation of intervention appropriateness from the perspective of parents: A peer-mediated, play-based intervention for children with ADHD.Australian occupational therapy journal25 parents said a play-based intervention for children with ADHD was enjoyable and helpful, especially when the therapist was warm and the child liked video feedback. They wanted more support to keep gains at school and with other peers.
• OTQualitative2024'We are all bringing, like a unique sort of perspective': The core elements of a strengths-based digital arts mentoring program for autistic adolescents from the perspective of their mentors.Australian occupational therapy journalMentors said the program worked because they dropped the teacher role and became collaborators. They tailored support to each adolescent’s interests, gave them time to process, and used the snack break to build peer connections.
• OTSurvey2024Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) Is Also Relevant for Computer, Smartphone, and Tablet Use by Adults: Introducing the Brief Box Clicking Test.The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy AssociationSlower box-clicking time correlates with poorer visual perception and daily functioning difficulties. The test shows moderate stability over two years. It may help clinicians observe visual-motor interference with technology use, though it has not been compared with standard visual-motor integration assessments.
• OTQualitative2025Participation Strategies Used by Young People With and Without Physical Disabilities.OTJR : occupation, participation and healthYoung people with and without physical disabilities both rely heavily on time management and social support to participate. Those with disabilities use more environment-focused strategies like accommodations and advocacy, but no strategy was tested for effectiveness.
• OTQualitative2025Developing an initial explanatory theory for Partnering for Change using realist evaluation.Australian occupational therapy journalResearchers developed a theory explaining how school-based occupational therapy works, not just that it does. Success depends on specific conditions: therapists must be open to collaboration, schools need supportive leadership, and therapists require paid training and mentorship to shift from individual caseloads to whole-school support.
• OTQualitative2026Exploring Family Experiences With Section 504 Plans for Their Autistic Children.Journal of autism and developmental disordersMost caregivers of autistic children described Section 504 school plans as negative, citing delayed evaluations, dismissive staff, and missed accommodations. Positive experiences came from responsive school staff, family advocacy, and connections to other families or therapists.
• OTSLPCohort2026Co-occurring Conditions and Quality of Life in Autistic Children Attending General Education or Special Education Schools.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAutistic children in special education had more co-occurring conditions than those in general education. School type alone did not predict quality of life. However, special education students with externalizing conditions had lower quality of life than expected, suggesting their specific needs may not be met there.
• OTSLPRCT2026Mixed Methods Findings from a Stepped Wedge Hybrid Implementation Trial of ATTAIN NAV: A Mental Health Family Navigation Intervention for Autistic Youth.Journal of autism and developmental disordersStandard family navigation for autistic youth without added messaging or dashboards gave caregivers higher satisfaction, faster first mental health appointments, and greater child behaviour improvements than technology-enhanced navigation. Technology-enhanced navigation produced more contacts and referrals.
• OTSurvey2025Content validity of the Handwriting Assessment Battery (HAB-v6) for use with adults with acquired brain injury (ABI): An international Delphi study.Australian occupational therapy journalExperts judged the HAB-v6 relevant for assessing adult handwriting after ABI, but did not agree on the dots drawing subtest. They recommended adding vertical lines and number copying, and revising sentence copying.
• OTQualitative2025Occupational Therapist-Teacher Collaboration in Inclusive Education in Québec: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieTeachers and OTs described collaboration as hindered by unclear referral paths and OTs being spread across too many schools. They suggested protected meeting time, consistent OT presence, and joint workshops to build trust and clarify the OT role.