Improving Daily Life Skills

Research shows that occupational therapy can help children with autism improve skills needed for everyday life, including self-care, play, and school participation. In randomized clinical trials, children receiving occupational therapy demonstrated better occupational performance and progress toward individualized goals compared with control groups. 
 

Addressing Sensory Processing Differences

Many children with autism experience differences in how they process sensory information (such as sound, touch, or movement). Occupational therapy using sensory-integration approaches helps children regulate sensory input and participate more successfully in daily routines. 
 

Supporting Functional Outcomes

Clinical trials comparing occupational therapy to other interventions have found that children receiving structured occupational therapy show meaningful improvements in individualized goals and daily living skills.
 

Family-Centered and Individualized Evidence-based occupational therapy emphasizes:

• individualized goal setting

• collaboration with families

• practice of real-life activities such as dressing, eating, playing, and school tasks

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