- Occupational therapists work to promote, maintain, and develop the skills needed by students to be functional in a school setting and beyond.
- Occupational therapists use a holistic approach in planning programmes. They take into account the physical, social, emotional, sensory and cognitive abilities and needs of students.
- In the case of autism, an occupational therapist works to develop skills for handwriting, fine motor skills and daily living skills. However, the most essential role is also to assess and target the child’s sensory processing disorders. This is beneficial to remove barriers to learning and help the students become calmer and more focused.
Active participation in life promotes:
- learning
- self-esteem
- self-confidence
- independence
- social interaction.
Children are often prescribed a sensory diet/lifestyle by the occupational therapist.