Occupational Therapy and Children with Autism: A Look at What Occupational Therapy Is and a Review of Intervention Methods Used to Treat Children with Autism

Abstract

Occupational therapy is a healthcare career that strives to help individuals suffering from disabling conditions live successfully and independently. Occupational therapists work with many different populations, including children with autism. Autism is a developmental disability that involves delays and impairments in social skills, language, and behavior. It is a spectrum disorder, which means that the degree to which children are affected by autism can vary. Occupational therapists use a variety of intervention methods in order to improve the lives of children with autism. In this paper I incorporate my personal experiences with the research I have completed. The intervention methods discussed in this report include Sensory Integration Therapy, Sound-Based Interventions, Hippotherapy, and Handwriting Therapy.