What does an occupational therapist do for a child with autism?

1. What does an occupational therapist do for a child with autism? The main goal of occupational therapy for autism is to enable children to achieve maximum independence and meaningful participation in all aspects. Occupational therapy helps people at all levels on the autism spectrum develop the skills they need to communicate better and participate in meaningful daily activities. Pediatric occupational therapy is very beneficial for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and various degrees of developmental delay in all areas of development. Occupational therapy can also help children recover from brain injuries and strokes. There are many reasons why a child might need a little help, even if it seems normal and has no developmental problems. Often there seems to be just one small area where the child appears to be unable to keep up with speed with her peers for some reason. If you notice this in your child, ask your pediatrician what they can do. Pediatric occupational therapists work with children from birth through adulthood. Skills they handle include feeding themselves, Dressing, using the toilet, and walking unaided.

2. OTs are uniquely positioned to provide treatments that help in the success of Occupational therapists who work with children, parents, caregivers, educators, and other team members to provide early interventions that enhance a child's ability to pursue meaningful occupations. That's the main goal; here are some other ideas to illustrate what occupational therapists do for children with autism. Functional Skills Develop social skills to play with toys, play with others, participate in age- appropriate leisure activities, interact with others and form relationships. Gross motor skills such as crawling, sitting, running, jumping, jumping, body awareness, coordination and climbing are promoted in all units. This may also include construction skills, Dressing and manipulating dolls, and IT usage, such as Using a mouse or stylus with an iPad or PC. •Play - Working with two hands, coloring, painting, threading, writing, using tools, and handling fasteners and scissors. •Self-Sufficiency – Getting dressed (tying shoelaces, closing sandals, fastening zippers, buttons, belts), using cutlery, opening lunch boxes and grocery bags. Personal hygiene like brushing teeth, brushing hair, going to the bathroom, and spending money. Sensory processing Children on the autism spectrum have sensory dysregulation or sensitivity, meaning they may have difficulty processing sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell, posture, and balance. Often This affects a child's ability to perform routine activities such as brushing his teeth, eating dinner with his family, and participating in school breaks. Simple tasks, like brushing teeth, may seem like routine tasks to many, but for children with ASD, these simple tasks can be overwhelming due to sensory impairment. OT uses a variety of strategies and techniques, including sensory integration- based approaches, to help children and families identify challenges and apply age-appropriate methods of teaching regulation and skill acquisition to ensure successful graduation. Helps. Self-Help Skills

3. Occupational therapists help children develop the self-help skills they need. Children may need to develop fine motor skills for Dressing, undressing, grooming, and to eat independently. And help children master these skills. Of course, if a child has sensory problems, the therapist will modify the intervention to help develop these skills. It often works best. Many children on the autism spectrum have excellent visual skills and find visual aids to be helpful tools for them. To help your child transition more smoothly, the occupational therapist will work with you to understand your family's daily routine and the household chores your child has to do. To help with organization and time management, OT can help develop visual aids to help your child complete tasks. For example, creating visual aids using pictures, words, or both for your child's morning routine may be helpful. Other children may need visual aids for any part of their morning routine. For example, you might need to watch the brushing, showering, and dressing sequence. Every child and family is unique, and OT can help you assess which tools work best. Final Thoughts Pediatric occupational therapists typically observe children to see how they interact with their environment and which skills and behaviors require the most attention. Determine whether Autism occupational therapy activities are tailored to the child's individual needs and may evolve over time as the child shows improvement in specific areas. This is how Empower Therapy understands your child and gradually helps improve their life. Please feel free to book an appointment with a therapist now with a call.