Yes, ABA (applied behavior analysis) therapy is considered the best autism therapy, yet it’s not the only type of treatment. Occupational therapy is about function, helping people on the spectrum increase their independence and quality of life.
The field of occupational therapy was first recognized during World War I when therapists helped wounded soldiers regain the skills needed for daily life and work. Over 100 years later, the profession of OT has expanded to assist people with a wide range of conditions and disabilities, including autism.
At Heartlinks, our primary focus is ABA therapy, but we recognize the necessity of complementary treatments such as occupational or speech therapy. Many of our clients receive autism occupational therapy, which is uniquely designed to help them improve their daily living skills, motor coordination, and sensory processing.
What Is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is an approach to medical treatment that helps individuals with physical, cognitive, and sensory impairments master everyday life activities. Administered by a trained and licensed Occupational Therapist (OT), it uses real-world tasks to build confidence, skills, and independence in various domains.
Occupational therapy for autism explicitly addresses the issues caused by sensory processing disorder, attention deficits, emotional regulation, anxiety, and irregular social interaction. Treatment is personalized to a patient’s condition; those with challenges in gross motor skills such as coordination and balance receive targeted support, while those with higher-functioning autism may focus on improving fine motor skills and participating in activities that promote emotional development. For those with low-functioning autism, therapy may emphasize building foundational communication skills, sensory regulation, and daily living activities to enhance independence and quality of life.
How can OT and ABA combined benefit your child?
Occupational therapy and ABA therapy are two complementary therapies that, when combined, can provide an all-encompassing approach to supporting children on the spectrum. While ABA focuses on behavior modification, skill-building, and positive or negative reinforcement, OT can address sensory processing, motor skills, and functional independence. When used in conjunction, these therapies can enhance a child’s developmental progress, improve their daily living skills, and help children reach their full potential.
Fine and Gross Motor Skill Development
For some children with autism, motor skills aren’t naturally developed. ABA techniques such as positive reinforcement, prompt hierarchy, shaping, and task analysis can all be used to increase a child’s participation in motor activities while reducing avoidance behaviors.
Meanwhile, OT focuses on strength-building exercises, coordination, and sensory-motor play to improve motor function.
For example, a child struggling with buttoning a shirt may work with an occupational therapist to develop dexterity and finger strength. In contrast, a certified ABA therapist might employ reinforcement strategies such as token systems to encourage consistent practice and build independence.
Behavior Regulation Relating To Sensory Processing
Combining ABA and occupational autism therapy can help children on the spectrum manage sensory processing challenges while promoting behavioral self-regulation. ABA techniques such as sensory activities, modeling, and self-soothing approaches reduce sensory-seeking behaviors and sensory-avoidant behaviors (i.e., covering their ears) that interfere with learning and daily activities.
Simultaneously, autism occupational therapy could provide sensory integration, which helps children regulate their response to sound, touch, movement, and light.
For instance, an autistic child who experiences tantrums due to loud noises may receive occupational therapy, including noise-canceling headphones or gradual sensory exposure. At the same time, ABA strategies, including modeling acceptable coping behaviors, teaching self-soothing techniques, and engaging in structured sensory activities, help the child learn to respond more constructively instead of reacting in distress.
Daily Living Skills and Self-Care
Combining occupational therapy and ABA approaches can help autistic children develop self-care and independent living skills by addressing motor coordination and behavioral enforcement.
ABA therapy techniques, such as error correction or social stories, can break down self-care tasks into manageable steps and reinforce independence. Meanwhile, occupational therapy can focus on more concrete steps, including dressing, feeding, and teaching hygiene skills such as bathing or brushing teeth.
For example, suppose your autistic child has difficulty holding a fork. In that case, an occupational therapist may introduce grip-strengthening exercises or an adaptive utensil. In contrast, your child’s RBT may use errorless learning to help the child develop their self-esteem by ensuring early success. Using a preference assessment, the RBT can determine your child’s positive reinforcers. At the same time, naturalistic teaching can incorporate these skills into real-life settings, making the learning process meaningful.
Social and Play Skills
Acquiring and developing social skills is often complex for children on the spectrum. Applied behavior analysis therapy for autism spectrum disorder might include using structured teaching methods, such as discrete trial training (DTT) and natural environment teaching (NET), to enhance social interactions, communication skills, and turn-taking. Tacting or labeling objects and actions in the environment strengthens language and social connections.
At the same time, occupational therapy activities for autism that focus on developing functional play skills, such as improving body awareness during group activities, manipulating toys, and engaging in pretend play, can help. A child’s assent to their willingness to participate is a crucial consideration in both ABA and OT approaches, ensuring that interventions are respectful and engaging while encouraging meaningful social development.
What Does Occupational Therapy Look Like?
The answer to this question is multifold because occupational therapy for autism can involve many different things. What a session consists of ultimately depends on the individual being treated.
Families seeking this type of early autism intervention should be ready to begin with an initial assessment. Occupational therapists must establish a baseline understanding of the child they’re working with, including their strengths and weaknesses, areas of concern or challenges, and activities they regularly engage in.
From there, an individualized plan of care can be made. This may include activities that target basic gross motor skills such as standing, walking, and running; fine motor skills for handwriting or cutting with scissors; sensory integration techniques that help the child better process tactile input from their environment (e.g., brushing); self-care tasks like dressing and hygiene; social skills therapy; and daily living activities like getting a haircut or visiting the dentist.
Occupational therapy sessions can also incorporate play-based learning, adapted toys and tools that make specific tasks more manageable, and relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises and weighted blankets to help manage stress or anxiety.
Session frequency again depends on the case at hand and the individual’s response to interventions, expected progress rate, and goals set out by the OT in collaboration with family members or caregivers.
Occupational therapy for kids with autism is usually recommended for at least 30 minutes once a week. The duration and number of sessions per week can increase from there.
Does Insurance cover Occupational Therapy?
Yes, many major insurance providers include behavioral health treatments like occupational therapy and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment in their care plans. In fact, some states even require it.
However, in cases where insurance denies OT, parents and caregivers can explore alternative options, including private pay therapy, school-based services, or community programs that offer developmental support. In any case, it’s always a good idea to review your specific policy to understand the terms, frequency, and details of your coverage.
How Heartlinks Can Help
Heartlinks is a leading ABA Therapy provider for autism, specializing in services for children and teens. Our staff of experienced professionals works with families to create individualized treatment plans that address each child’s needs.
We offer community-based, classroom, and in-home options, giving families access to top-notch care where they need it most. We’re always just a call or email away.
With several locations, including Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Indiana, the difference that specialized services can make by contacting Heartlinks.