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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The Effect of Sensory Stories on Targeted Behaviors in Preschool Children with Autism, Summarized May 4, 2007

Sensory Stories can help teach children with autism learn how to manage sensory input that they do not like.

This study was designed to see if Sensory Stories can help preschool-aged children with autism learn to sit still during circle time. The study lasted only four weeks. The authors studied four children, three of whom learned to sit still after having Sensory Stories read to them. The children lost their ability to sit still after the Sensory Stories were stopped. The authors conclude that the ideas of sensory integration therapy can be combined with teaching to help children with autism.
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Autism and an Empty Nest, Summarized Feb 22, 2007

It can be difficult for parents to let their young child leave home to begin an early childhood program. This transition may be necessary, however, in order to ensure that a child with autism receives speech and occupational therapies. And, a five-day-a-week treatment program may bring needed consistency into the child's life. Worries parents have may include over-stimulation, or disruption of a specific diet such as gluten-free and casein-free diets. These concerns and sadness are normal feelings for parents sending their children away for day programs. Read more...

A Qualitative Research Study of One Parent-Child Activity Group, Summarized Feb 8, 2007

Parent-child activity groups may help to rebuild the parent-child bond when a child is living in a psychiatric hospital.

Some parents have trouble working and living with a child with autism. They spend so much time each day on autism treatments that they do not spend time together as parent and child. Parents may also expect that everything with their child will be hard and that expectation may actually make things even more difficult. This article describes a parent-child activity group that helped parents learn to work with their children. The group helped not only the parents, but also the families of the children with autism.
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Occupational Therapy Incorporating Animals for Children with Autism: A Pilot Investigation, Summarized Jan 29, 2007

Including animals during sensory integration treatment may improve results of the therapy.

In order for sensory integration therapy to be successful, children must be actively playing with the therapist. This study was designed to see if animals could be included in the therapy session in order to motivate and encourage children. The authors found that children played and talked more in the therapy sessions that included animals. This allowed the therapist to focus on activities that challenged the child. The authors point out that the study was not blinded, which means that both the therapists and the children knew why the animals were included in the session.
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Showing 33-36 of 40 results

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