News summaries for autism therapy: occupational therapy (OT)

definition of occupational therapy (OT): Type of therapy that focuses on helping people with autism learn functional physical skills that involve using their muscles. These skills may include writing, riding a bike, or catching a ball. Occupational therapists may also provide sensory integration therapy to children with autism and/or sensory integration disorder.
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Sisters Start Ride-On-Ranch to Provide Hippotherapy to Kids with Special Needs, Summarized Apr 19, 2013

Sisters Autumn O’Hara and Charli Wacker, both horseback riders, founded Ride-On-Ranch to provide equine assisted therapies to kids with autism and other special needs. O’Hara is an occupational therapist and certified therapeutic riding instructor, which enables the center to offer hippotherapy – riding is a therapy tool as opposed to just fun. O’Hara explained, “Equine assisted therapy is an emerging practice area in occupational therapy and the use of the horse has multiple facets that make it an amazing therapeutic tool. For example, the natural movement of the horse mimics human walking.”

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Organization Provides Recreational and Social Activities for Kids on the Autism Spectrum, Summarized Apr 5, 2013

Autism Families CONNECTicut was started by parents looking for recreational and social activities for their youngsters with autism. They offer gymnastics, swimming, running, and Friday night teen programs. All activities are under supervision of an occupational therapist or other clinician. This means that kids learn motor skills and relation skills in addition to having a good time. In addition to youth activities, the organization provides a support network for parents, and activities for siblings. Jackie Procyk, one of the founders explained, “For me, I have a greater sense of community now and friendships and people I know I can call on.”

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Parents Join Forces with Community to Bring Sensory Integration Facilities to School, Summarized Feb 21, 2013

Palisades Elementary School, in CA, is now home to an activity lab designed for kids with autism who may also have sensory issues. Many of the students are in a structure autism classroom, but need a place to calm down when over stimulated. Principal Steve Scholl explained, “We look for any sensory contribution that will help that particular student calm down and really be ready to receive educational input.” Activities in the sensory lab, which looks like an occupational therapy center, include swinging, touching, sound, dim lighting, and/or jumping.

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School District Highlights Sensory Room for Elementary Students with Autism, Summarized Jan 16, 2013

Students with sensory processing disorder (SPD) and other special needs have their own place to go in Romeoville’s Autism Sensory Room. The room, organized by OT Stephanie Raynor, is located at Kenneth L. Hermansen Elementary School. Raynor explains that as each child enters the room, either she or her assistant ask them how they are feeling.... Read more...

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Synonyms for occupational therapy (OT) include: occupation therapy, occupational, occupational therapist, occupational therapy, occupational training, OT
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