What Is Occupational Therapy and How Can it Help My Autistic Child?
Occupational therapy gives children with autism the tools and support to develop their abilities. The skills they develop enable them to live fuller, richer lives.
How Occupational Therapy Benefits Home Life
Occupational therapy (OT) supports children in becoming more independent and developing their cognitive, fine motor, physical, and sensory skills. When a child feels more confident and capable of doing things on their own, this can also have a positive impact on their behavior and self-esteem. Occupational therapists often focus on activities of daily living, which are basic skills children use every day to be more successful.
Some of the areas OTs might work on include hand dexterity, hand-eye coordination, pre-writing and handwriting skills, cutting skills, upper body strength and sensory processing. Your child may be practicing exercises that help them to better hold utensils as they eat, dress themselves, push the keys on a computer or phone, color or write their name, or better control their posture or arm movements.
As a parent, there are many ways that you can help your child carryover these skills from the therapy setting to home.
- Talk to their OT and find out what skills they are currently working on. Ask about similar exercises or activities that you can do at home.
- Let your child be more independent at home, if you know it is a task they can do on their own or with minimal supervision. Encourage them to keep trying and practicing; praise them for their efforts.
- Get them involved in things you are doing. Ask them to help write the grocery list, hand you items to put away (or you hand them and they put away), or measure and mix ingredients to make dinner.
- Play outside together. Toss a ball back and forth to practice hand-eye coordination, balance, and coordination. Draw with sidewalk chalk on the driveway. Climb on the playground.
- Follow the same steps and routines that are practiced in therapy to provide consistency and reinforcement.
Occupational therapy can be a lot of fun and your child may not even realize they are practicing what they have learned. The more opportunities they have to practice, the better they can become at those skills and build on them to develop new skills. To learn more ways to help your child at home, contact PediaPlex about OT services.
Leave a comment and let us know how occupational therapy has benefitted your child at home.
Start your child's journey today.
817.442.0222
You Might Also Enjoy...
5 Benefits of Behavioral Analysis
Behavior analysis strategies are beneficial in helping children with development challenges learn new skills and boost their quality of life. Talk to a specialist to learn how behavior analysis can support your child.
In the Technology Age, Handwriting Is Still an Important Skill
In an era dominated by digital devices, handwriting remains a crucial skill for children. While keyboards and touchscreens are helpful, handwriting benefits offer unique advantages in child development.
What Should I Look For If I Suspect My Child Has Autism?
Today, there is tremendous support available to guide families with children on the autism spectrum. Learning the signs and observing your child helps determine whether you should seek an evaluation.
What is ABA Therapy and Is My Child Eligible?
Unlocking potential and fostering growth, applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy helps children with developmental challenges. As a scientifically validated approach, ABA therapy offers a path to personal development and improved skills.
Will My Child Grow Out of Stuttering?
Getting your child the right help early on can make a difference in reducing their stuttering. Speech therapy can help your child speak more fluently, and feel confident speaking in different situations.