Occupational Therapy

What is occupational therapy?

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) defines occupational therapy as"skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. Occupational therapy assists people in developing the 'skills for the job of living' necessary for independent and satisfying lives". The goal of pediatric occupational therapist is to apply therapeutic strategies that will help maximize the independence of the child at home, school and social set up.

What are the occupational therapy intervention strategies for children with autism?

• Sensory/Motor Integration: As children with autism are believed to have difficulties receiving, assimilating, integrating and processing sensory information from their environment. For example: A sudden noise such as a ringing telephone can be very upsetting, and the child may respond by covering his ears and making repetitive noises to drown out the offending sound or a child with autism may be highly sensitive to touch and in response may avoid hugging. The aim of sensory integration is to improve the ability of the brain to process optimal sensory information from his body and surrounding, so that the child would function better in his daily activities.
• Daily activities of Living Training: Independence in activities of daily living (ADL) like eating, bathing, grooming, dressing etc. which on an average a child learns all of these skills by the time they are five or six years old however children with autism struggle with these tasks. An occupational therapist would work on training your child for all the ADL’s tasks.
• Skill Building: Occupational therapists train children with autism who have difficulties in writing and oro-motor issues like drooling, protruding tongue, etc. with strategies like improving their hand functions by making use of vibrator pencils, peg boards and improving their oro-motor issues by giving them massages and deep pressure, etc.
• Home modifications: Occupational therapist also suggests for home modifications which not only helps to keep the child and the family safe but it also ensures that the child is learning and utilizing his or her full potential towards leading an independent life.
• Designing Equipment's: Depending on the child’s difficulties an occupational therapist provides with equipment's like splints, wheelchairs, grippers for writing, etc.

What is the aim of occupational therapy session?

Occupational therapy intervention including SI therapy and development of age appropriate skills for ADL, work and play forms the basis for further treatments, training and appropriate functioning alongside development. Children on the autism spectrum may benefit from occupational therapy, both at home and at school. The goal is to help them maximize their level of independence and lead more meaningful lives.