Research 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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Investigating the Use of Packing Therapy in Adolescents with Catatonia: A Retrospective Study, Summarized Nov 30, 2009

Packing therapy may be helpful for people with autism who also have catatonia.

Catatonia is a condition that may include rigid muscles, and little or no response to other people. Packing therapy is a type of therapy that is usually provided by occupational therapists. The occupational therapist wraps the entire body of the child in damp cloths, leaving the head and face unwrapped. The therapist encourages the client to talk about what they are feeling while wrapped.... Read more...

The Effect of Sensory Activities on Correct Responding for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Summarized Sep 9, 2009

Sensory-based activities may help some children with autism stay focused on a task.... The researchers wanted to find out if a reward system would motivate children to give correct answers to some questions. Three children (ages 6-7) were offered a choice of sensory activities to do before a session.... Read more...

Autism, Social Competence, and Academic Performance, Summarized Sep 3, 2009

Children may develop autism-related social and academic problems in middle school years.

Children with autism may have social and academic difficulties in elementary and middle school. There may be many reasons for these problems. In some cases, the problems may come from symptoms of autism. In this article, the author answered a question from a parent of a 10-year-old girl. The girl's older brother was diagnosed with autism, but she was not. The mother described her social and reading difficulties. She also said that her daughter's problems seemed to be getting worse as she gets older. The author said the mother should get the daughter a full psychological and occupational therapy assessment. She told the mother to ask the school to provide testing and appropriate services. Read more...

Making Scenes: Imaginative Practices of a Child with Autism in a Sensory Integration-Based Therapy Session, Summarized Jul 2, 2009

Acting out imaginary scenes may help children with autism begin a process called the "healing of belonging."... Over 27 sessions were observed, and 27 were videotaped. In the article, the author described the imaginary play of the children.... 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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