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Comprehensive Services: OT
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy holistically considers a person’s environment and their “occupations,” which refers to the things a person wants and needs to do in their daily life. Occupational therapists support individuals in developing these skills by considering the task’s requirements, the person’s unique strengths and challenges, and how they interact with and respond to their environment. They work in a variety of community and medical settings with people across the lifespan, so their specific role and expertise can vary depending on the setting and who they are working with.
Occupational Therapy with Young Children
For young children, “occupations” encompass activities such as play, participating in daily routines, developing adaptive skills (e.g., sleeping, feeding, toileting), spending time with their families, and engaging in community activities (e.g., visiting the park, preschool). Occupational therapists also have special expertise in the motor skills and sensory processing abilities that contribute to building these skills and accessing opportunities for learning and participation in activities. We know that when children are feeling confident and regulated in their bodies, they are more engaged and ready to learn.
Parents and caregivers are an important part of any intervention for children ages 0-3. At this age, occupational therapists will work with you and your child, and they will often provide parent coaching to help you support your child outside of sessions as well. For more information and tips from an occupational therapist to support your young child at home, check out our On Time Autism Intervention Podcast episode with UW Autism Center occupational therapist, Sarah Lemke, MOT, OTR/L (linked below).
FAQ for Caregivers or Providers:
Sensory processing refers to how people take in, process, and respond to sensory information. This includes how things look, sound, feel, taste, and smell, as well as internal body cues (interoception), where our body is in space through input to our joints/muscles (proprioception), and our sense of balance (vestibular). Everyone takes in and processes sensory input differently; for example, some people love roller coasters or loud music, while others might be overwhelmed by these experiences. Autistic people often have sensory processing differences, meaning that they may be sensitive to some sensory inputs or seek out extra sensory input. Knowing your child’s sensory differences or needs can help inform which strategies will be most helpful to support their bodily and emotional regulation as well as their participation in play, routines, and daily activities.
