How Occupational Therapy Can Help Autistic People

Autistic people can experience challenges with various activities of daily living.

Fortunately, there are a variety of care and support services available that can assist the autistic community including their loved ones to address these challenges. One of these support services is occupational therapy.

In this guide, we will discuss how autistic people can benefit from Kirinari’s occupational therapy services.

Understanding Autism

Before we dive deeper into our occupational therapy support, it’s important to gain a better understanding of what autism is.

Autism represents a spectrum of unique ways in which individuals perceive, process, and respond to the world. It is characterised by varying sensory processing, communication styles, and deep interests that shape an autistic individual’s physical, social, and emotional well-being. At times, due to this differing neurotype, autistic people may need support to navigate environments that don’t align with their needs.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is a customer-centred health profession focused on enabling individuals to participate fully in their daily activities and roles. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages who experience physical, cognitive, or mental health challenges, helping them develop, recover, or maintain the skills needed for meaningful activities—such as self-care, work, and leisure.

An occupational therapist assists autistic individuals by helping them navigate sensory, social, and practical challenges in their daily lives. They work on building sensory regulation strategies, supporting social skills, and teaching routines like self-care and time management. Additionally, OTs help with emotional regulation, offering coping techniques for managing stress or sensory overload, which promotes greater independence and comfort.

Paediatric occupational therapy specifically supports children in developing the skills needed to participate in their environments, such as at home, school, and in the community. It focuses on addressing developmental, physical, sensory, and cognitive challenges, helping children engage more fully in daily activities.

Benefits of Our Occupational Therapy Support

At Kirinari, our occupational therapy service is all about putting our customers first. Our personalised and accessible occupational therapy services start with a range of standardised and individual assessments, including getting to know the person, goal setting, and evaluating their strengths and areas of difficulties. We offer specific assessments such as Functional Capacity, Home Modification, Aged Care, Manual Handling, and Assistive Technology, tailored to understand and support each person’s unique needs. Through these assessments, we can develop a personalised plan aimed at helping our customers achieve their goals. By following a tailored approach to occupational therapy, we can help our customers in the following areas of their lives:

• Daily living skills: Our occupational therapists assist autistic people enhance their skills and abilities to perform everyday activities such as household management, maintaining personal hygiene, and tasks related to work or school.
• Improved social skills: Through our occupational therapy services, autistic people and those they communicate with can work toward communicating more effectively across a range of settings, reducing anxiety and barriers for engagement. 
• Enhanced motor skills: The activities introduced in our occupational therapy sessions are designed to enhance the coordination, balance, mobility, and motor skills of autistic people to make it easier to complete activities of daily living. 
• Improved cognitive functions: Through the assistance of our occupational therapists, autistic people can learn new skills that can improve their cognitive functions, supporting cognitive flexibility and the development of healthy coping mechanisms.

If you or someone you know needs occupational therapy services, make sure to get in touch with us. Through our personalised support services, which can be accessed in person or through telehealth sessions, we’ll help you and your loved ones live healthier, better, and more independent lives.