Occupational Therapy Autism
Welcome to the Best Home Therapy information page for Occupational Therapy and Autism.
Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behaviour. It impacts how people interact and behave with the world around them. It is typically diagnosed in early childhood, however sometimes is not diagnosed until later in life. The severity of the condition can vary widely, and each individual will have different experiences.
Typical symptoms/indicators of Autism:
The symptoms or indicators of autism can range from mild to severe, and can affect different people in different ways. Some common symptoms of autism include:
Communication difficulties - Individuals with autism may have trouble with verbal and nonverbal communication. They may have trouble understanding social cues, such as facial expressions and body language, and may not respond to their name being called. People may also have difficulty with non-verbal communication including lack of hand gestures and nodding/shaking head.
Difficulty with social interaction - People with autism may have difficulty with social interactions such as; making eye contact, sharing toys or objects, and playing with others. This often leads to difficulties in creating and maintaining friendships or appropriate peer relationships.
Repetitive behaviours - Individuals with autism may engage in repetitive behaviours, such as hand flapping or rocking, or may have obsessive interests in specific objects or topics.
Sensory sensitivities or sensory seeking behaviour - People with autism may be sensitive to certain sensory stimuli, such as loud noises or bright lights, and may have difficulty processing sensory information. In addition to this people with autism may also be hyposensitive to certain sensory input and therefore seek it out, such as; frequent movement (e.g., pacing, fidgeting) or chewing non-food items (e.g., shirt sleeves or pens).
Rigidity- people with autism may experience a need to excessively follow routines, patterns or behaviour, and become distressed at any changes to these.
Emotional dysregulation- individuals with autism often have difficulty with managing emotions on a day-to-day basis, which can regularly be seen as prolonged tantrums or other challenging behaviours such as hurting one’s self or becoming aggressive towards others.
Diagnosis of Autism:
The diagnosis of autism is typically made by a qualified healthcare professional, such as a paediatrician or psychiatrist. The diagnosis process typically involves a comprehensive evaluation of the individual's developmental history, behaviour, and communication abilities.
A diagnosis of ASD will also include a classification based on the level of support the person requires. The 3 levels are:
Level 1: people requiring support
Level 2: people requiring substantial support
Level 3: people more severely affected and requiring very substantial support
Treatment of Autism:
Autism is a dynamic disorder. Each person with autism has a unique experience, which is influenced by many different factors. That is why autism is thought of as a spectrum. Treatment programs specifically tailored to individual needs often have the best results. While there is no cure for autism, early intervention can be helpful in improving communication, social, behavioural and functional skills, as well as reducing the severity of symptoms. Treatment may include Behavioural therapies, such as Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) where children can learn new skills and generalize these skills to multiple situations through a reward-based motivation system, Educational therapies with a team of specialists implementing a highly structured educational program, Family therapies where family members can learn how to play and interact with their children in ways that promote social interaction skills, manage problem behaviours, and teach daily living skills, and prescription of medications to manage specific symptoms such as hyperactivity or anxiety.
Support for Individuals with Autism:
Individuals with autism and their families may benefit from support and resources, such as:
Autism support groups
Special education services
Occupational therapy
Speech therapy
Respite care services for families
Financial assistance for medical care and therapy.
Autism Awareness:
Awareness and understanding of autism is essential for creating a more inclusive society for individuals with autism. Autism Awareness Month is observed in April, and many organizations work to promote understanding and acceptance of individuals with autism throughout the year.
In conclusion, Autism is a complex lifelong developmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behaviour. While there is no cure for autism, early intervention and support can help improve outcomes for individuals with autism and their families.
Occupational Therapy and autism
Occupational therapy (OT) is a type of therapy that focuses on helping individuals develop the skills they need to participate in everyday activities and reach their full potential.
How Occupational Therapy Can Help with Autism:
Occupational therapy can help individuals with autism by addressing the specific challenges they may face in daily life. Some ways that occupational therapy can help include:
Sensory Integration (including interoception): Individuals with autism may be hypersensitive or hyposensitive to certain sensory input, such as sounds, touch, or movement. Interoception is our 8th sense, which is often not understood or known about. This sense helps a person understand what is going on inside of the body like hunger, thirst, feeling hot or cold, fatigue, or a full bladder. It also affects the ability to interpret emotions; butterflies in the stomach may not be felt as anxiety or nervousness. Not understanding this sense can make self-regulation a challenge. It can also be the cause of eating and toileting difficulties, something we frequently see in autistic people. Occupational therapists can work with individuals with autism to develop sensory integration skills, which can help them process sensory input in a more organized and effective way. This approach is also helpful in managing other autistic characteristics such as difficulties with play or emotional regulation.
Fine and Gross Motor Skills: Occupational therapy can also address difficulties with fine and gross motor skills. This can include practicing activities such as buttoning a shirt, tying shoes, handwriting, and coordination of movements.
Self-Care Skills: Individuals with autism may have difficulty with self-care skills, such as brushing their teeth, washing their face, or getting dressed. Occupational therapists can work with individuals to develop the skills needed to complete these tasks more independently.
Play Skills: Occupational therapy can help individuals with autism develop play skills and learn how to interact with others during play. This can include learning how to share toys, take turns, and engage in cooperative play.
Emotional Regulation: Occupational Therapists can greatly assist with emotional regulation, which is the ability to cope with situations that cause emotions like stress, anxiety or frustration. Sometimes, people with autism have a harder time regulating their emotions. OT’s can help people with autism understand their emotions and practice self-regulation of activity levels and their emotional states, leading to better self-control and reduction in meltdowns and tantrums.
Social Skills: Occupational therapists can also work on social skills with individuals with autism, such as making eye contact, interpreting facial expressions and body language, and initiating conversations with others.
Independence: Occupational therapy can help individuals with autism develop the skills needed to live more independently, such as managing money, shopping for groceries, cooking, and cleaning.
Conclusion
Occupational therapy can be a valuable tool in helping individuals with autism develop the skills they need to participate in daily activities and reach their full potential. By addressing specific challenges and working on skills in a structured and supportive environment, occupational therapists can help individuals with autism achieve greater independence and improve their overall quality of life. If you or a loved one is living with autism the Best Home Therapy Occupational Therapy team can visit you in the home or can complete appointments at our clinic at 72 Maribyrnong st Footscray to assist you in achieving your goals.