ASD Occupational Therapy Service
The Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Occupational Therapy (OT) Service is for children up to 18 years old and is based within Children's Therapy Services at the Child Development Centre.
Services offered
The 'Sensory Parenting' course is a popular course which may be considered when referrals are received. The course provides parents with an insight into their child's sensory needs and how to support them.
ASD and Wheelchairs
The ASD OT service, Children's Learning Disability Service and Dorset Wheelchair Services have jointly produced guidance on the use of buggies or wheelchairs for children with ASD.
Copies of this advice can be downloaded here:
Buggies and Wheelchairs for children with ASD
Sensory Integration
What is sensory integration?
Download our leaflet 'What is Sensory Integration?'
Sensory integration is a process that happens in the brain to put all of the sensory information received together, make sense of it and act on it.
Our eight senses are:
- Visual
- Auditory (sound)
- Taste
- Smell
- Touch
- Proprioception (muscle and joint movement)
- Vestibular (balance and head movement).
- Interoception (inner body feelings)
Our brains integration sensory information automatically, all the time.
Sensory integration difficulties
If a child or adult has a problem integrating sensory information, they can find daily tasks difficult. It may result in children having a disproportionate response to sensory information, such as screaming when they hear a noise or saying that a someone touching their arm lightly was painful.
The occupational therapists in Children's Therapy Services can provide support to children on the autism spectrum with sensory difficulties - you can read more about their service here.
Useful resources
For further information about children with sensory needs, this video may be helpful.
There are handouts on our handouts for parents page, covering topics such as:
- Picky Eating
- Toothbrushing
- Movement
- Hair cuts
Your OT Appointment
When you get to the Child Development Centre, your parent/carer will tell the person at reception you are there. You will then wait in the waiting area. In the waiting area there are some books, toys, paper and colouring pencils for you to use while you wait.
When the therapists come to get you, they will call your name. You and your parent/carer will come with you into the appointment.
The therapists want to know what you are good at, anything you find difficult, and will help you make a plan for home and school to make things easier.
Your appointment will be approximately 45 minutes long.
We are looking forward to seeing you!
