The Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Autism

Table of Contents

What is Occupational Therapy and How Can it Help People with Autism?

Occupational therapy is a healthcare field that helps people with autism spectrum disorder to engage in meaningful daily activities, including self-care, school or work, and social activities.

Occupational therapists (OTs) work with autistic people to develop skills such as fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and daily living skills.

OTs assess patients’ physical, sensory, emotional, and cognitive abilities before developing a treatment plan.

The goal of occupational therapy services is to help individuals with autism progress toward their goals, increase independence and improve their quality of life.

Understanding Autism and its Effects on Daily Life

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that can include difficulties in communication, social skills, and engaging in repetitive behaviours.

ASD affects how individuals think, feel, and perceive the world, impacting their daily life and interactions. Each autistic person has their own unique experience of ASD, including their own strengths and challenges.

Autistic people may experience difficulties with:

social skills, to interact with others and develop relationships
emotional regulation, including managing stress or anxiety
fine motor skills, for tasks such as writing, doing up buttons or using cutlery
gross motor skills, such as running, jumping and coordination
organising and executing tasks like catching public transport or preparing meals
sensory processing, recognising and processing information from taste, touch, sound, smell, body awareness and movement.

Autism is a lifelong condition, but with the right support, autistic people can develop new skills, build on their strengths and improve their daily lives. Occupational therapy can play an important role in helping people with autism to overcome challenges.

The Role of Occupational Therapists in Autism Treatment

Occupational therapists play a crucial role in supporting people with autism. OTs can help autistic people to develop their social skills, play skills, emotional regulation, and other essential skills.

OTs work with individuals and their families or support people to develop goals and target specific skills in therapy sessions.

OTs provide support to families, offering parent coaching sessions, explaining clinical reasoning, and recommending activities to work on outside of the clinical setting.

OTs may work in various settings, including schools, private clinics, community health centres, and public and private hospitals.

Common Occupational Therapy Interventions for Autism

Occupational therapy interventions for autism may include developing an intervention plan and treatment goals. Goals might be related to motor skills, organisational skills, or daily living skills, for example.

Interventions may include activities such as:

play therapy
sensory integration
social skills training.

OTs may use screening tools such as an ASD checklist, a sensory profile, or the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) to evaluate patients.

Finding the Right Occupational Therapist for Autism

Here are our key strategies for finding an OT that’s a great fit:

Ask your doctor: To find a qualified occupational therapist for autism, the best place to start is by asking your current treating practitioners, like your GP, paediatrician or other allied health professionals. They already know you and your situation and will be able to recommend an OT who can help with your individual challenges.
Do some research: Look for an OT who is willing to work with a child or adult with autism and has experience in occupational therapy for autism or the specific challenges you’re facing (for example, sensory processing). Consider an OT who is certified in autism-specific interventions.
Make a phone call: Phone potential OT services and ask about their approach, the interventions they use and their philosophy, and ensure it aligns with your values and goals.
Don’t be constrained by geography: Remember that telehealth appointments (sessions held over video conference) can be highly effective. Being flexible in terms of your OT’s location may open up a whole lot of possibilities compared to looking for a service that’s located nearby.

Implementing Occupational Therapy for Autism in Daily Life

Occupational therapists focus on improvements to daily life, so occupational therapy can take place in various settings, including schools, homes, and community centres. As well as therapy sessions, occupational therapy might include home programs, or community-based activities.

OTs may provide support to families, offering parent coaching sessions and recommending activities to work on outside of the clinical setting.

OTs may work with other health professionals, such as speech therapists and psychologists, to provide comprehensive support.

For children with autism spectrum disorder, an occupational therapist will often liaise with the child’s child-care provider or school to help staff and ensure the child is well-supported in those environments as well as at home.

Accessing Occupational Therapy for Autism Under the NDIS

If you have an NDIS plan, funding for occupational therapy may be included, under the funding category Capacity Building (Improved Daily Living). If you have available funds in this category, you will be able to use these funds to pay for occupational therapy sessions, with no out-of-pocket expenses. Find out more about using your NDIS plan to access occupational therapy for autism.

Conclusion

Occupational therapy is a valuable tool for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, helping them develop essential skills and improve their quality of life.
By understanding the benefits of occupational therapy and finding the right OT, autistic children and adults can receive the support they need to thrive.
With the right support, people with autism can develop new skills, improve their daily lives, and reach their full potential.

How can we help?

Goal Coach’s occupational therapists are experienced in working with a wide range of challenges, including autism. With our virtual appointments, location is no barrier: we can work with you no matter where you are in Australia. You won’t have to go on a waiting list to get an appointment with Goal Coach and you can even get started with a 15-minute free chat to make sure the service is right for you.