Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that affects all aspects of a person's life. It limits individuals' social communication and interaction. Children with autism spectrum disorder often experience sleep disturbances. This is associated with challenging behaviour and attention problems. Sleep disturbance affects not only individuals but also their families and family dynamics. It is therefore important to find out what strategies are used in the occupational therapeutic treatment of these children. Purpose: The aim was to review the relevant literature and to identify the role of occupational therapy in the management of sleep disturbances in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. We answered the following research question: 1. What is known so far about occupational therapy treatment for children with sleep problems? Methods: The aim was to review the relevant literature and to identify the role of occupational therapy in the management of sleep disturbances in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. We answered the following research question: 1. What is known so far about occupational therapy treatment for children with sleep problems? Methods: The search was carried out using the electronic search engine UM:NIK, the University of Maribor's university search engine. The literature was searched in PubMed, Web of Science and CINAHL databases using a browser. The search was performed using the following search formula: ‘occupational therap*’ OR OT OR ‘occup* therap* intervention*’ AND Autis* or ‘autism spectrum disorder*’ OR ‘autism spectrum condition*’ OR ‘PDD - NOS’ OR asperg* OR asd OR asc AND Child* OR toddler* OR ‘early child*’ OR infant* AND Sleep* OR ‘sleep disturbance’ OR ‘sleep disorder*’ OR ‘sleep deprivation’ OR ‘sleep deprivation*’ OR ‘sleep reduction*’. Results: We analysed seven articles from scientific journals that discussed occupational therapy interventions to help sleep disturbances in children with MAS. Two themes were developed: swimming interventions to help sleep disturbances in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and assistive interventions to help sleep disturbances in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Discussion and conclusion: Despite the limited amount of research, 7 of these studies addressed occupational therapy as an intervention for sleep disturbances in children with autism spectrum disorder. All researchers stressed the need to expand research in this area and to tailor interventions to each individual and their needs.
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