Occupational Therapy Information Sheet for Individuals with Autism

What is Occupational Therapy (OT)

OT assists people across the lifespan to participate in things they want and need to through the therapeutic use of everyday activities.

What does Occupational Therapy do?

• Help children with disabilities participate in social activities
• Help people regain skills that are lost after injury.
• Provide support for individuals who have physical or cognitive challenges

How does occupational therapy help someone with autism?

These are skills that Occupational Therapists may work on with a person who has autism:

• Daily living
• Toilet training
• Dressing
• Brushing teeth
• Grooming skills
• Fine motor skills
• Holding objects
• Handwriting
• Cutting with scissors
• Gross motor skills
• Walking
• Climbing stairs
• Awareness of body and its relation to others
• Perception skills
• Telling the difference between colors, shapes, sizes
• Body awareness
• Riding a bike
• Social skills
• Play
• Sensory Integration

How do I find an Occupational Therapist?

After I receive a prescription for Occupational Therapy, how do I find one in my area
who accepts my insurance?

• Review the ASERT Resource on Finding and Choosing a Therapist, which provides
  suggestions on how to find a provider as well as important questions to ask to
  ensure the provider will be the best one for your child.