Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and other developmental disabilities often have deficits in the areas of fine motor skills, sensory processing, and motor planning.
These can show up as difficulties with basic self-care skills such as:
- Getting dressed
- Using a spoon
- Brushing teeth
- Play skills, such as building puzzles or using scissors
- Basic life skills, such as sitting still in a classroom
Occupational therapists often can help with these issues.
Occupational Therapy (OT) Evaluation
An OT evaluates the child’s fine motor skills and sensory processing development and prepares strategies for learning tasks of daily living. These interventions may be delivered in sessions with a therapist and then practiced at home and school. Goals will depend on the needs of the individual child, but occupational therapy strives to help children gain more independence and live a higher quality of life.