My occupational therapists are my favorites. Lot of them genuinely understood me like no other therapist. I love them a lot and still have fond memories of our time together. Our first occupational therapist started me on floor time and that set the foundation for our family on how we should navigate my whole autism journey through relationship based approaches grounded on trust and respect. For example, our move to Florida would not have happened if we did not have this clarity from the beginning.
However, motor challenges could have been more effectively addressed. For example, my motor loops would be admired, and positively reinforced as a result, than redirected to something more purposeful. Similarly new loops would be misunderstood as expansion of play.
The traditional activities such as play doh or jumping on trampoline etc made no difference with connecting my mind and body, but were persisted with.While my occupational therapists always told me I was smart, we never got to actually presuming competence fully during the activities.
My hope is that the communication revolution opens the door for more occupational therapists to hear directly from us on what is working and what is not. I enjoy sharing my perspectives with occupational therapists when asked and many others do as well.
Dysregulation is such a cruel thing and occupational therapists can do more to understand the mind body disconnect as well as incorporate those learnings into creative strategies that can help.
Motor coaching by addressing the body directly, keeping co-regulation as a central tenet of the strategy as well as medical intervention where necessary to address any underlying health issues contributing to dysregulation are some of the things that are helpful. HIIT type workouts, while not easy everyday, are also things my body has been grateful for.
LOTS OF LOVE all my occupational therapists. Please share with other OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS if this is helpful.
