What is Occupational Therapy and why is it important?
Occupational therapy (OT) is a developmental and therapeutic service that helps people build the skills they need for everyday life. For children - especially those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder - it focuses on participation, independence, sensory regulation, and functional skills that support success at home, in school, and in the community.
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Occupational therapists look at the whole child - motor skills, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and independence.
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What do Occupational Therapists (OTs) work on?
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Sensory Processing
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Fine Motor Skills
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Self-Help and Daily Living Skills
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Emotional and Self-Regulation
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Play and Social Participation
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Why is OT important for children on the autism spectrum?
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Sensory Needs
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Emotional Regulation
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Independence in daily routines
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Motor development
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Participation in school and community activities
Clinical OT vs. Educational OT
Clinical OT (Medical Model
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Supports development, daily living skills, sensory needs, and overall functioning
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​Based on medical need, developmental delays, or diagnosis
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Insurance, Medicaid, or private pay
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Takes place in clinics, hospitals, outpatient centers, or home-based services
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Focuses on sensory processing, fine motor skills, feeding, emotional regulation, self-help skills
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Typically 1:1 individualized sessions
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High parent involvement - parents receive home strategies
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Treatment goals are based upon the results of an OT comprehensive developmental and functional evaluation
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Educational OT (School-Based Model)
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Helps students access learning and participate in the school environment
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Must meet IDEA criteria: disability + educational impact
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Free through public schools (special education if the child qualifies)
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Takes place in a classroom, therapy room, and school environment
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Focuses on skills that affect school participation such as handwriting, classroom routines, organization, sensory regulation for learning.
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Often small-group, push-in, or collaborative with teachers
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Communication with parents is typically provided through ARD/IEP meetings and teacher collaboration
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IEP goals and objectives are based upon the results of the Occupational Therapy Educational Evaluation. Data sources include educationally relevant assessments as well as parent/teacher information and observations.
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Supporting participation in everyday life.
My Recommendation
As both a parent and an educational diagnostician, I strongly encourage families to seek a private occupational therapy (OT) evaluation, especially for younger children. Early support can make a meaningful difference, and private OT offers the depth, frequency, and flexibility needed to address sensory, motor, and adaptive‑behavior needs. Older children who struggle with daily living skills, organization, or emotional regulation also benefit greatly from private OT services.
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A school‑based OT evaluation may be appropriate if you believe your child is having difficulty accessing the educational environment or participating in the general education curriculum. School OT can be helpful, but sessions are often limited in frequency and scope. When families have medical insurance, private OT typically provides more comprehensive and individualized support than what schools are able to offer.
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Private OT and school OT can work together, but if you have to choose, private OT is usually the most effective option for meeting a child’s broader developmental needs.
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