Occupational therapy for children with autism

The behavior of children with special needs is not always clear to parents, especially when it comes to performing what adults consider basic everyday actions. The thing is, autism spectrum disorders affect each child differently, making it difficult to determine which environmental factors or the child's own characteristics are hindering their development. One of the most effective approaches in identifying external and internal obstacles to a child's progress is occupational therapy - a modern direction in assisting people with developmental differences, which includes a set of techniques to identify the causes of environmental and individual difficulties and determine the optimal conditions under which the necessary skill will be acquired. This book introduces parents to the most effective and proven occupational therapy practices to help children with ASD from their early years. Kara Kosinski, a certified occupational therapist and a mother of two children with autism, informs parents about the specifics of cognitive functions, sensory and motor systems, as well as the eating behavior of a child with ASD, explains what could be the real cause of difficulties, discusses correction methods, including engaging play-based approaches that allow the child to feel joy in acquiring the ability to perform activities independently. The author's recommendations cover everyday tasks such as eating, hygiene, toilet training, self-care, dressing, as well as social situations that will help the child better understand behavioral rules in public places and the actions of others, ultimately promoting greater independence. 3rd edition.