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.
Brain Balance Centers
Description: Balance Brain Centers provide sensory and academic training, daily exercise at home, in addition to “clean” nutrition all with on-line and community support systems.
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.
The Pocket Occupational Therapist for Families of Children With Special Needs by Cara Koscinski (Dec 15, 2012)
The Parent’s Guide to Occupational Therapy for Autism and Other Special Needs: Practical Strategies for Motor Skills, Sensory Integration, Toilet Training, and More by Cara Koscinski
Sensory Integration and the Child: 25th Anniversary Edition by A. Jean
The Out-of-Sync Child by Carol Kranowitz and Lucy Jane Miller PhD OTR
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: Autism Parents & Occupational Therapists Group
Description: This Facebook page is a discussion group for parents and occupational therapists to post questions, experiences and information.
Forum/Blog Name: Sensory Integration Tools for Meltdown Management
Description: This blog discusses sensory meltdowns usually associated with autism. Such topics as the role of self-regulation, sensory integration tool kits, play dates in school, and the delicate sensitivity of an autistic meltdown depicted through a song.
Forum/Blog Name: The Recycling Occupational Therapist
Description: A blog developed by an Occupational Therapist to demonstrate creative ways to treat children with autism.
