28 Mar How does an Occupational Therapist work with autism?
The role of an occupational therapist (OT) is to support people, families and communities to reach their health and well-being goals by working on the areas of their life that are most important to them. OT’s work with people of all ages and through all stages of life, with varying physical, cognitive or psychological disabilities and conditions. They also work in a variety of settings, such as clinics, home, schools and the community, depending on the goals of the person they are working with.
Autistic children and adults often experience differences or challenges with their behaviour and the way they think and learn. This can have a significant impact on the way they engage with other people and their ability to perform everyday tasks, or, activities of daily living (ADLs).
These differences can present a number of challenges which affect their ability to work towards and reach their goals at home, school, work and in social settings. These challenges can impact behaviour, relationships and mental health, causing frustration, not only for the autistic person, but also for the family, friends, teachers and other significant people involved in their lives.
How can an OT support an autistic person?
- Diagnosis and assessment:
OTs can provide information and evidence to assist diagnostic specialists, such as paediatricians and psychologists, make a formal diagnosis. This is often done with the use of standardised assessments, clinical observations and conversations with the person and their support network. OTs complete a variety of assessments to work out where and why there is a functional impairment so they are able to provide the most appropriate intervention or treatment to support the person.
- Sensory processing:
Sensory processing is the way input from our senses (i.e. sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell, balance and proprioception) is received, understood, organised and then used by our nervous system to elicit a response. It is commonly accepted that autistic people process the information received differently, which may result in unusual or unexpected responses or behaviours. OTs support people to understand their feelings so they are better placed to regulate their emotions and process sensory information inline with their individual sensory preferences.
- Behaviours:
Routines are an important part of many peoples lives. Without even thinking about it, most of us follow routines throughout the day, such as getting ready in the morning or for bed in the evening. For autistic people, routines are often highly important and offer predictability and control over their time. Routines allow people to know what is coming next, therefore minimising uncertainty and anxiety and providing calm and order, all of which assist autistic people to better understand and navigate their environment. OTs assist people to develop and implement routines and structures that support their individual preferences and enable them to work towards and achieve their goals.
Rigid thinking and strong interests are also common in autistic people. Whilst having a strong interest in a particular topic can be of benefit to some people, the intense focus and attachment to certain topics can also limit a person’s ability to participate in conversation and develop relationships with others.
- Executive functioning:
Executive functioning refers to the cognitive processes and mental skills that enable a person to plan, monitor and execute their goals effectively. This includes skills such as attention, problem solving, working memory, flexible thinking, self-control, organisation and reasoning. Any deficit in the functioning of these skills and processes can have a considerable impact on how a person manages school, work, relationships and ADLs, making tasks that appear to be simple, more complex and challenging. OTs can provide support with strategies and techniques that can be employed by the autistic person or their support network to simplify and assist them to carry out these tasks in a way that resonates with them.
- Advocacy and education:
OTs work with not only the Autistic person themselves, but also with their support network, such as families, teachers, colleagues/employers and friends. They advocate for the needs and preferences of the person and provide support and education to better enable people to understand the importance of supporting the person without judgement.
Occupational therapists advocate for people to embrace who they are without the need to change what makes them uniquely themselves.
Would my child and our family benefit from occupational therapy?
Occupational therapists offer evidence-based, practical, hands on support and strategies that can be used by the autistic person, but also by their families and support network. Strategies can be targeted for use at home, school, or other places where support is required. They provide guidance for parents and caregivers who are unsure of how to best support their child as well as education to help them to understand why particular strategies are recommended.
If you believe yourself or your child would benefit from support in the areas discussed above, please contact the Prosper Health Collective team to arrange an occupational therapy appointment so that we are able to assist you as soon as possible.
(This blog uses identify-first language (‘Autistic individual’) as opposed to person first language (‘person with Autism’) due to input from disability advocacy groups. It is acknowledged that each individual has a right to identify with the language they feel most comfortable with.)
