What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy (OT) for children on the autism spectrum consists of working on daily living challenges, namely playing and self-care activities such as feeding and brushing teeth. OT often focuses on “hand and finger skills” such as grasping, stretching, and hand-eye coordination. The occupational therapist will also help acquaint a child with the textures and tastes that he or she might avoid due to oversensitivity, a common challenge for children on the autism spectrum.
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Occupational Therapy Case Study
Debi Blitz, an occupational therapist, describes the approach and components of occupational therapy, particularly in her work with two young brothers with ASD, Ethan and Evan.
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Restricted and Sensory Insterests Therapy: Using Paper and Paste
Two children with ASD work with their therapists on a crafts project. The project (making cards) allows them to practice fine motor skills, sustained attention and also gluing, drawing, holding, patting and cleaning. The act of making a card is broken down into a series of small steps in order to help the children successfully learn the routine of card making. Learning this routine will allow them to recreate the activity on their own in the future. It is also notable that Josiah, the young boy on the right, is distracted from the activity by his repetitive vocalizations, a symptom of ASD. Rather than being directed at others or communicative, Josiah's repetitive vocalizing appears to be nonfunctional and likely related to the sensory stimu...
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Restricted and Sensory Insterests Therapy: Making and Eating Jello Hearts
Children at an early intervention center learn how to make jello hearts with heart shaped molds. This type of activity allows children to explore sensory experiences such as touch and taste.
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Occupational Therapy: Daily Living Skills
In occupational therapy, a child with ASD learns important daily living and fine motor skills, such as being able to unzip a zipper, and open and unpack his lunch bag. Learning such daily living skills is essential to improving a child's overall functioning, independence and sense of mastery.
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Occupational Therapy: Putting Pegs in Holes
A child with ASD works with his therapist on fine motor skills, such as picking up and placing small pegs. By incorporating this exercise into the child's playtime, the therapist is able to improve Josiah's dexterity while also teaching him appropriate play skills.
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Occupational Therapy: Playing with Accordian Tubes
An occupational therapist works to improve grip strength and flexibility in a young child with ASD. The child's interest in the sound and look of the therapy toy engage him in the exercise; yet, the unusual quality of his sensory interests is clear in his desire to sniff and keep the toy even when his teacher asks him to give it back.
