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Q Bulletin, Volume 1, No. 32 (Supplement 1), Jan - Dec 202412th National QA Convention, 8 %u2013 10 October 2024OP-20Improving Parents%u2019 Competency in Handling Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)Children with Social-Emotional Problem in Hospital Putrajaya (HPJ)Nora H, Norzie Azlaili P, Ericson Clifford T, Ebi Sufian SOccupational Therapy Unit, Hospital Putrajaya, W.P. PutrajayaSELECTION OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT:Statistics from Occupational Therapy (OT) unit of Hospital Putrajaya (HPj) in 2023 have shown that70% of parents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) children have low competency in handling theirchildren%u2019s social-emotional problem based on the Parent Sense of Competency (PSOC) assessment. Thisstudy aims to improve parents%u2019 competency in handling ASD children with social-emotional problems.KEY MEASURES FOR IMPROVEMENT:The standard used in the study was at least 60% of parents having a PSOC score >75 (Standard OperationProcedure OT for Mental Health Patients 2018).PROCESS OF GATHERING INFORMATION:Verification study was performed involving 35 new ASD referrals. Parents were assessed using PSOC,while the social-emotional skills of ASD children were assessed with Functional Emotional AssessmentScale (FEAS). An FEAS level>4 indicates high social-emotional functioning. A survey among ninepaediatric therapists was conducted to identify the contributing factors.ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION:PSOC results showed that only 2.8% of parents had a score >75, and 0% of ASD children scored FEASlevel>4. The factors identified were insufficient knowledge among parents (24.1%), therapists%u2019dependence on other multi-modal approaches (20.5%), insufficient therapists%u2019 knowledge about ParentCoaching (PC) practice (18.1%), and no dedicated OT for ASD cases (15.7%).STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE:Therapists were trained on PC. Designated slots for ASD cases were developed, and PC was conductedfor 9 sessions within 6 months of referral. Parents%u2019 support group was delivered every 3 months.EFFECT OF CHANGE:The percentage of parents with PSOC>75 increased from 2.9% to 28.6% in cycle 1, and 57.1% in cycle 2.The percentage of ASD children with FEAS level>4 also increased from 0% to 14.3% in cycle 1, and77.1% in cycle 2. We have successfully reduced the ABNA from 31.4% to 2.9% with the interventionalstrategies.THE NEXT STEP:We pioneered a program for ASD children with FEAS>level 4 to enrol in the School Readiness Programin HPj. We also recommended a national level PC course for therapists involved in ASD management.45 | Page