“According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, occupational therapy is ‘skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. Occupational therapy assists people in developing the 'skills for the job of living' necessary for independent and satisfying lives’” (Rudy, 2007). Commonly, occupational therapists work with patients who have suffered from serious injuries like car accidents, burns, or strokes. As a result of their injuries, they generally have trouble performing daily tasks like writing, brushing hair, or grabbing something out of a cupboard. Recently, occupational therapists have expanded their treatment plans so that they are able to work with those who need sensory integration therapy for sensory processing disorders. Occupational therapists treat children with SPD by providing them with activities that teach them how to properly respond to the information their bodies receive from the outside environment. In hopes of teaching children how to better direct their bodies in space, therapists use things like swinging, brushing, stability balls, and bikes. This also helps strengthen their awareness to outside factors around them. Therapists also give the child opportunities to improve their communication and social skills by utilizing play activities (i.e.: social stories to encourage abstract communication rather than literal). Occupational therapists also develop plans to assist patients in making smooth transitions from task to task. This could involve showing them a picture schedule to illustrate what their next activity is or where they are going next. Schedules give the child time to prepare for the next activity by adjusting during the transition. Therapists also develop methods to enhance the learning process. This may include giving the child a sensory break on a mini trampoline after each completed task or having the child sit on a stability ball to keep them focused.

As far as finding a qualified OT goes, some schools hire their own occupational therapists to work with a number of various students while others may be contracted by the school district. In general, family physicians may refer parents to specific therapists who design intervention programs based on a child’s abilities. Most of the time, occupational therapists are funded through different forms of health insurance and sometimes even through Medicaid.

• Rudy, L.J. (2007, August 21). Occupational Therapy and Autism: The Basics. Retrieved from  http://autism.about.com/od/whatisautism/a/OTBasics.htm

 (The second line with the HTML won't indent on the posting and it doesn't remain indented when I copy and past it from my word document so I hope this is ok. Let me know if you need me to change anything.)