Introduction
Occupational Therapy teaches skills and strategies to children with developmental needs, educational needs, and emotional behavioral needs as the child progresses to different learning stages. Occupational Therapists can help develop fine motor skills such as cutting with scissors, handwriting, holding utensils, drawing pictures and other learning motor processes.
Autism is a sensory-based disorder and ASD children may benefit from seeing Occupational Therapists trained in Sensory Integration (SI) starting as soon as they are diagnosed. Sensory Integration addresses the needs of a child who has auditory and language processing difficulties, touch sensitivity issues, poor motor planning skills, decreased awareness of body position in space, extreme reactions to mild stimuli, speech and language delays, limited coping skills, lack of focus and concentration, abnormal gait, and many other daily living challenges. SI therapy can have positive outcomes on sensory processing dysfunction.
Related Sites
Sensory Integration Global Network (SIGN) Description: This is the website of A. Jean Ayres, PhD, OTR/L, who was the founder of Sensory Integration Theory and intervention methods. Her methods provide a neuroscience-based approach to sensory integration concerns.
Sensory Integration Activities: Treatment That Works Skills That Matter Description: A sensory checklist, activities, and articles about Sensory Processing Disorder is provided at this web site.
Books
Tools
Parent Forums/Blogs
Some forums require you to sign in to Yahoo or Facebook to locate forum names.
Forum/Blog Name: Interacting with Autism Description: A blog on Occupation Therapy where you can post comments or questions.
Forum/Blog Name: The Recycling Occupational Therapist Description: A blog developed by an Occupational Therapist to demonstrate creative ways to treat children with autism.
Consumer Corner
Community Library
Occupational Therapy in Autism Treatment Description: Article describing how children with autism can benefit from occupational therapy to help them learn the skills they need or how to structure their day effectively and be as independent as possible.
Occupational Therapy for Children with Autism Description: Article discussing how OT can help children with autism, including support for communication and sensory integration issues.