Cancer Care
Rehabilitation
Women's Health
Behavioral Health
Cardiovascular Care
Surgery
Living with autism affects not only the patient but also the entire family, because supporting a person with autism requires hands-on involvement. Fortunately, there are many therapeutic ways to help patients with autism adapt, and to minimize the impact of the disorder on their everyday lives.
One of those ways to treat autism is through occupational therapy. Let’s talk about what autism is, how occupational therapy can help an autistic patient take better control of their life, and where you can go in Wayne County for effective treatment and management of autism.
WHAT IS AUTISM?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the communication skills and the social interactions of a person; it is invariably first seen before the age of 3. It involves sensory-processing issues, a lack of eye contact with others, repetitive behaviors, and limited interests and activities.
HOW CAN AUTISM BE TREATED?
There isn’t one singular method that can help all patients with autism. However, there are several ways of therapy that can help maximize an autistic child’s learning skills and social skills.
One of those methods is occupational therapy. An occupational therapist can help improve the lives of people who have disabilities, injuries, or debilitating diseases by implementing occupational activities to help them adapt and function better in their daily lives and communicate better with others.
Some skills that occupational therapy can help improve in autism include the following:
- Everyday skills like proper manners, hygiene, and getting dressed
- Fine motor skills, such as holding something in their hands
- Muscular activities like walking and running
- Recognizing their body and noticing its relation to other people
- Learning skills like problem-solving, reading, and writing
By getting better at these basic skills, the autistic patient may be able to improve their relationships with others, focus better when doing something, learn how to follow through until completion of an activity or project, and express their feelings.
HOW CAN AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST HELP AN AUTISM PATIENT?
- The occupational therapist first assesses the patient’s level of social skills, activities, and interests.
- The therapist then devises a detailed, tailored program for the patient, including the objectives of the therapeutic plan and the strategies the autistic patient should ideally follow.
- The therapist also outlines the various roles the patient’s family members can and should ideally play in the process. All of this should support the patient and help them communicate better in normal situations, whether at home or school or elsewhere.
- Then the occupational therapist monitors the patient, reviews the child’s progress, and modifies the plan if needed.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY FOR PEOPLE WITH AUTISM?
Occupational therapy can be very effective at improving the sensory skills of autism patients in order to improve their participation and interest in daily activities. It can also help improve their relationships with their peers through better interactions.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES IN WOOSTER, OH
If you’re looking for an occupational therapist in Wayne County, Ohio, the medical team at Wooster Community Hospital is here for you. Our occupational therapists are equipped with the skills, expertise, and experience to help our patients improve their adaptive skills and become independent in their everyday activities.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with a therapist or a medical practitioner, call us today at (330) 263-8144 or request an appointment online now. We look forward to helping you improve the quality of your life!
