Ten Ways Occupational Therapy Can Help Children with Autism In Toronto

If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a city to raise a child with autism. If you live in Toronto, consider yourself lucky, as there is no shortage of resources available. Not to mention, there’s a Monarch House nearby, at 5734 Yonge St. At Monarch House, we understand the need for specialists, so we are staffed with a wide variety of professionals to help you and your child with autism Toronto get exactly the treatment and attention that’s needed. This includes on-site Occupational Therapists. Occupational therapy (OT) plays a crucial role in supporting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This specific therapy helps children develop essential life skills and enhance their quality of life. 

Today we are going to look a little closer at the role of an Occupational Therapist and examine what exactly they can do to help your child. Here are ten ways OT’s can improve the lives of neurodivergent children.

1. Helping In the Development Of Social Skills

Making and maintaining new friendships and peer groups can be tough for most of us. It takes a lot of work, and there are all these unspoken rules to navigate every time paths cross. It’s normal to be a little exasperated. Now, just imagine how much more challenging these social interactions are for children with autism. It’s like a mountain to climb every time they have a fleeting interaction. This is where OT can help. OT sessions encourage interaction, sharing, and communication with peers by making use of play-based activities. Therapists teach strategies to understand body language, recognize social cues, and engage in appropriate social behaviours.

2. Improving Communication Skills

A significant stumbling block for many children with autism (and their families) is communication. It’s common in children with autism to have trouble articulating their wants and needs. Expressing themselves in a socially acceptable way can sometimes be a challenge. This goes beyond just words. While speech therapy focuses on verbal communication, Occupational Therapists work with non-verbal communication methods such as using gestures, picture exchange systems, or assistive technology devices. With a combination of verbal and non-verbal exercises, OTs help children express their needs and thoughts more effectively.

3. Working On Fine Motor Skills

Whether it’s threading a needle or shuffling a deck of cards, there are many actions we do throughout our day that we simply take for granted. We can’t recall the exact way or how we even learned them. But they’re important, and they require a microscope of focus when it comes to dealing with children with autism. By definition, fine motor skills involve the small muscles in the hands and fingers. Neurodivergent children may struggle with fine motor tasks such as buttoning clothes, writing, or using utensils. Occupational therapists are able to help by introducing various exercises and activities to condition these muscles, improve hand-eye coordination, and build dexterity.

4. Improving Gross Motor Skills

Occupational Therapists help our children hit the outside world in stride. This means attention is given to the larger muscle groups as well. Gross motor skills are used for activities like running, jumping, and climbing. Working with an OT, neurodivergent children can develop better coordination, balance, and strength through a variety of activities tailored to their specific strengths and physical challenges. 

5. Aiding Sensory Integration

What may seem like regular sunlight to us can be blinding to a child with autism. A background noise can seem like torture. Certain textures, agonizing. Many neurodivergent children have what is called “sensory processing issues.” This makes the child either overly-sensitive or curiously under-sensitive to stimuli like light, noise, touch, or movement. Occupational therapists create a more balanced sensory experience by using sensory integration techniques to help children manage and respond to sensory input more effectively, 

6. Fostering Daily Living Skills And Self-Care

The big picture goal is to make neurodivergent individuals as independent as possible in the long run. Occupational therapists help children with autism cultivate this independence, step-by-step, starting with daily living activities such as grooming, dressing, and feeding themselves. They begin by breaking down larger tasks into bite-sized steps. They make use of visual schedules and prompts as well.  Working with an OT, children will be able to perform these tasks with greater confidence and autonomy.

7. Working To Develop Emotional Regulation

Whether it’s bottling up, or lashing out, children with autism often experience challenges in managing their emotions. OTs can help a child learn strategies to recognize and cope with feelings of anxiety, frustration, or anger. They make use of various techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, calming routines, and the use of sensory tools. By addressing stressful events with a new mindset, and making use of these strategies, children can regulate their emotions and respond to situations from a better place.

8. Bolstering Academic Performance

OTs work closely with the public and private school systems. They also work with children to develop skills that are crucial for academic success. It’s important to refine the fundamentals, such as focus, maintaining attention, learning organization, and how to follow instructions. They also modify classroom environments and tasks, making them more accessible and engaging for children with autism. This is done in collaboration with teachers.

9. Encouraging Play and Leisure Activities

Some children with autism have difficulty making friends and engaging in sports and recreational activities. This needs to be addressed because play is an essential part of childhood development. Occupational Therapists help children with autism engage in play by teaching them how to participate in group games, play with toys appropriately, and explore new hobbies and interests. This enhances their enjoyment and participation in leisure activities and improves motor function and social skills.

10. Helping With Family Education And Support

An OT’s reach extends beyond the classroom, the schoolyard, and the resource centre. They deal with issues that your child starts their day with, and challenges that need to be addressed right up until they need to go to sleep. In other words, at home. Occupational therapists offer guidance on creating structured home environments. They suggest activities to practice at home. They also provide strategies to manage challenging behaviors at home. This holistic approach ensures that the benefits of therapy extend beyond the clinic and into daily life.

Occupational therapy is a specialization that offers a wide range of benefits for children with autism. From morning routines to social skills and academic training, OTs address both their developmental needs and daily challenges at every juncture. By focusing on individual strengths and needs, occupational therapists empower neurodivergent children to improve their social interactions, achieve greater independence, and enhance their overall quality of life.