In the case of autism, Occupational Therapists (OT’s) have vastly expanded the usual breadth of their job. In the past, for example, an occupational therapist might have worked with an autistic person to develop skills for handwriting, shirt buttoning, shoe tying, and so forth.
But today’s occupational therapists specializing in autism may also be experts in sensory integration (difficulty with processing information through the senses) or may work with their clients on play skills, social skills and more.
Since kids with autism often lack some of the basic social and personal skills which are required for independent living, Occupational Therapists have developed techniques for working on these needs. For example: