Occupational Therapy

Therapists note overall occupational responsiveness based on an elaborate checklist of specific parameters such as upper limb (shoulder, elbow, hand) movements, coordination in head-body movements, musculature, integration of vestibular and visual systems, chair sitting assessments, signs of ‘wrist drop’, tactile receptivity. Based on these reports, Sensory Integration protocols will be implemented alongside standardized OT exercises.

In autism due to neurological constraints, motor programmes have to be taught. Once motor learning happens with practice, the child stores these movements in the repertoire of learnt skills and gradually internal decision-making also develops. Motor programmes become an important part of the procedural memory of the autistic child to navigate daily life. Stored motor programmes enable autistics to perform the correct sequence of actions. At HAS, we consider OT to be the ‘Basic Structure’ for Occupational Performance.