Occupational therapy and autism

Ben Robinson, OTR/L

Ben Robison MOT, OTR/L discusses the relationship between occupational therapy and autism as he aims to educate parents about the resources available to children after they receive an Autism diagnosis.

I recently spoke to a parent who was wondering what occupational therapy could do for her child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She felt like the medical system had let her down, as far as educating her about resources was concerned, and felt at a loss as to how to help her child. This conversation made me realize we, as professionals, need to do more to educate the community about resources and programs that provide support to families and individuals. 

The Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Autism:

There are many things occupational therapy can do to provide support to those with ASD. Occupational therapists help people do the things they need and want to do during the day (the things that occupy your time) that are meaningful. This can include everything from self-care tasks (dressing, toileting, self-feeding) to work tasks, social interaction, and leisure activities. So what does this look like for those with ASD?

AUTISM AND SOCIAL SKILLS:

OT can address social skills; this may include reciprocal interaction (responsive back and forth interaction), turn taking, sharing, and respecting others’ boundaries. We may use social stories to help people understand the processes in certain social situations to make individuals feel comfortable and safe. We may provide strategies to manage social anxieties and increase function. Above all, we want to increase functional participation and help people do those things that are important.

SENSORY PROCESSING AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY:

We can also address sensory processing difficulties. It is common for those with ASD to have difficulties with sensory processing. We may need to determine if your child requires more input, needs strategies to cope with overwhelming inputs, or to provide more input simply to gain a response. ASD manifests differently in girls and boys, and occupational therapists work to create individualized treatment plays that fit the needs of the client and the family.

EMOTIONAL REGULATION FOR AUTISM:

Sometimes those with ASD may also experience anxiety, emotional regulation issues, difficulties with attention, and difficulties with volition (motivation). These are all areas that OT can address. Occupational therapy is invested in addressing mental health difficulties as well, providing supports, strategies, and ways to increase well-being and function. OT is all about function, supporting meaning, and increasing health and wellness.

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT:

Another essential task we provide is education: education for the individual and the family. We educate about resources in the community, supports, as well as strategies to increase participation. We may educate about the need for testing, different roles in the medical community, and different strategies to address family concerns. Earlier, I mentioned that ASD presents differently in females. For many years, ASD has been extremely underdiagnosed in women due to the focus on how symptoms present in males. OTs can use education to help increase community understanding of ASD presentation in females to increase support for the many women out there that need help.

Occupational therapy can help build a wide range of skills related to ASD and many other diagnoses. We are not limited to dressing and motor tasks. If you think of how many things you do during the day to occupy your time, OT can help with all of those things. OT really is all encompassing, making it one of the most adaptable and relatable professions. One of our strengths is collaborating with families. Most of the progress your child will make will occur in the home. That is why it is essential to be involved in the therapy process and let us know what is working and what could be improved. We work with our families to create home programs that directly address family concerns and needs. Therapy is an adaptive process, changing to the needs of the client and family. We advocate to empower clients and families to facilitate change that is beneficial and meaningful.

Come in for a free consultation and learn more about what OT can do for you and yours!

Benjamin Robison, MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Ability Innovations
801-618-7903