| Occupational Therapy For Autistic Children | | | | and considered by the therapist in his evaluation. |
| The subcategory of Rehabilitative Medicine known | | | | Also included are findings on interactions with |
| as Occupational Therapy is extremely relevant in | | | | other children, his attention span, and his stamina |
| helping to evaluate, and treat, children with autism | | | | while involved in them. |
| for several reasons - the first one being its overall | | | | When the information has been gathered, a |
| approach to treatment, in general: | | | | structured, specialized program is then designed |
| Occupational therapy takes a somewhat different | | | | for the child to encourage him in using better |
| approach in treating patients in that it uses both | | | | strategies and coping mechanisms for the |
| the educational, and philosophical, when working | | | | situations in his daily life - including those that are |
| with an individual. In fact, the mission of this | | | | especially challenging for him. Occupational Therapy |
| therapy is to help each patient overcome their | | | | For Autistic Children |
| obstacles by discovering what experiences, | | | | His treatment plan for improvement may include |
| interests, and needs motivate each to want to | | | | involvement in activities such as bead stringing, or |
| take action to get better. | | | | working with puzzles for coordination development |
| What is discovered is then incorporated into the | | | | - and special types of game-playing for an |
| individual's treatment plan, and used to help him | | | | increase in communication and social interaction. |
| meet his goals - in the hopes of the patient's | | | | Every day activities - like cleansing himself, using |
| eventual return, or significant improvement to, his | | | | the toilet and tying his shoes - are stressed to |
| best level of function - thereby improving his | | | | improve his overall general development, and he is |
| quality of life. This protocol has proven effective | | | | taught ways to cope with transitions and changes |
| in helping those afflicted with certain types of | | | | to his routine. |
| neurological disorders, including autism. | | | | Benefits to the autistic child from a successful |
| In regards to the child with autism, the goal of | | | | therapy intervention can mean a marked |
| this rehabilitative team is to help the child in | | | | improvement in his relationships with other peers |
| mastering as many skills as possible, in ways as | | | | and adults. And he may learn to focus better on |
| stress-free as possible - so he can experience the | | | | the completion of tasks, along with learning to |
| highest quality of life in an independent manner. | | | | express himself more appropriately in social |
| Occupational Therapy For Autistic Children | | | | situations. |
| In every individualized case, the occupational | | | | It is the goal of the occupational therapy |
| therapist bases his particular findings on what he | | | | profession to help a child with autism improve his |
| observes during the evaluation period. This is | | | | overall functions and coping skills to reach his |
| where the child is observed in relation to how well | | | | greatest potential - in every area of his life. It is |
| he performs tasks - and how he acts, and copes | | | | the hope that he will eventually be able to live a |
| with stressors - when participating in | | | | life functioning at his highest level, as stress-free |
| age-appropriate activities in common situations. | | | | as possible. And in every case, the earlier a |
| Daily living skills such as dressing himself, brushing | | | | detailed, structured program is started and |
| his teeth, or playing a game - are things studied | | | | followed, the better his chances will be. |