Role Of Occupational Therapist In Autism

Among the plethora of autism therapies, Occupational Therapy (OT) is of great value to address the underlying issue such as cognitive, physical, social, and motor skills seen in autism or other sensory processing disorder. With a focus on promoting the development of important life skills, an Occupational Therapist keeps your child interested and engaged in suitable activities.

What is the role of Occupational Therapists in Autism?

An occupational therapist is trained to conduct complete analysis and promote activities to help the child interact with the immediate environment and learn skills to communicate and engage. The main role of an Occupational Therapist in Autism is to inculcate daily life skills which include day-to-day tasks such as self-care, work or leisure.

Can a child psychologist practice as Occupational Therapist?

Child psychologists, trained in occupational therapy, are experts in the emotional, social, and physiological effects of autism & and can practice as Occupational Therapists. They can provide a complete evaluation of a child with autism and plan behavioral strategies, social skills training, and emotional regulation to help children with ASD cope better in their everyday lives.

How can an Occupational Therapist help your child with Autism?

• An occupational therapist for autism helps the child improve the quality of life at home and in school
• In due course, your kid will learn daily life skills like brushing, dressing, toilet training, and other grooming skills.
• The occupational therapist will help your kid learn motor skills required for holding objects properly for task execution.
• The role of an Occupational therapist is to impart gross motor skills needed for sitting, posture, walking, climbing, or riding a bike.
• An OT can help your kid learn and practice perceptual skills like differentiating sizes, shapes, and colours.
• Your OT helps your kid learn their body and its relation to others, the visual skills needed for writing and reading.
• Your kid will learn to play, self-help, problem-solving, coping, and other social skills.
• A child with autism under occupational therapy learns to develop adult and peer relationships.
• Your kid will learn to focus, delay gratification, self regulate, and express feelings appropriately.

List of highly effective Occupational Therapies used for Autism 

Each child with autism is unique and requires a unique approach to learning life skills. The role of an occupational therapist is to use highly effective therapies for autism which can be a game-changer.

• Using graphics and rewards to avoid overload, reward perseverance, and encourage incremental progress.
• An Occupational Therapist uses rubrics smartly to set unambiguous expectations and guidelines to avoid confusion and have a clear vision of success.
• In cases of complex sensory requirements, the occupational therapists’ role in Autism is to devise a sensory diet to help the kid’s body get the required sensory inputs. It is of great value for academic learning.  
• They create a suitable environment to cut distractions and help a child strengthen focus and improve attention span.
• Occupational therapists use mindfulness techniques effectively to help children ground in routines so that they could avoid and manage stress triggered by the feeling out of control.