Has anyone received occupational therapy for Asperger's?

[Southern Discomfort]

My care coordinator is going to talk to some people about it after I said I would like to do it now (it was offered to me back in November). So I'm going to be assessed to see if I would benefit from it. It was mentioned in an email that it was be an assessment, advice and consultation on sensory sensitivities so I have that to go back. Has anyone else had occupational therapy for Asperger's, if so what did it entail? Does it cover more than just sensory aspects?

My biggest problem is motivation for things I'm not interested in and tackling big events such as looking for employment, booking important things, that sort of thing. And I think that has something to do with the change of what's going to happen in the next few weeks, etc.

Any information would be appreciated because the internet is absolutely bollocks for actual information on what these things are about.

 

[ZebraAutismo]

I was going to get referred until the paediatrician realised theirs is no OT's which work with autistic people in my area.

 

[Southern Discomfort]

I was going to get referred until the paediatrician realised theirs is no OT's which work with autistic people in my area.

How handy of them.

 

[toothless]

ive seen the OT from the social services learning disability team and from greenways LD hospital many times,one time they gave me a sensory diet [i think it was called,but it was never followed through when creative support took over my care], they assessed and helped with my functioning in theory [they tried to teach me things like going to the toilet and also apropriately,making toast,getting changed etc,nothing has changed there the best thing was when they gave me a sensory diet,im hoping to get another one drawn up so creative support cant screw around and not follow it.

ive seen OTs a lot for my nerve damage but they didnt understand the autism so for example they put a textured flooring down when they were co ordinating the building of a wetroom in my apartment/flat and i feel pain and overload even when i walk on it with shoes on.

so just make sure you get someone who understands autism, as regular OTs dont automatically.

 

[Southern Discomfort]

From the way it looks in the email it seems that it is all sensory related stuff. I'm hoping that isn't the case. Sensory stuff is important and can be the big preventer of people not being able to move forward but I think there is stuff outside of it which would be important to me, as I've said above.

In terms of sensory stuff I find is that I struggle big time with sunlight, it's harder to smell things, my sense of taste might be less sensitive and tuning out background noise when talking to people is hard. It's the most former and the latter that I have problems with the most that could do with help, I can live without help for my sense of smell. But I'll accept anything and everything.

so just make sure you get someone who understands autism, as regular OTs dont automaticall

Yeah, this is provided under the services for people with Asperger's so it is all tailored to people like me.

 

[toothless]

From the way it looks in the email it seems that it is all sensory related stuff. I'm hoping that isn't the case. Sensory stuff is important and can be the big preventer of people not being able to move forward but I think there is stuff outside of it which would be important to me, as I've said above.

In terms of sensory stuff I find is that I struggle big time with sunlight, it's harder to smell things, my sense of taste might be less sensitive and tuning out background noise when talking to people is hard. It's the most former and the latter that I have problems with the most that could do with help, I can live without help for my sense of smell. But I'll accept anything and everything.




Yeah, this is provided under the services for people with Asperger's so it is all tailored to people like me.

excellent, hopefully itll reveal some answers for you,the only thing is, if they mention quite expensive stuff they will be expecting you to buy it- its very hard to get autistic equipment funded,for example they used to give us communication aids funded but they stopped that some years ago.

 

[Warmheart]

OT has changed my life for the better! Getting OT as an adult has helped me stay regulated much better, improved executive functioning and self care, raised frustration thresholds, and eased sensory sensitivities. Huge help!

The OT took a long, boring interview about my tendencies, put the results into a computer program, and bingo, out came Results of my individual, unique "Sensory Profile"....

From the Sensory Profile, the computer program recommended various types of activities which might provide my brain the specific sensory input it is craving, so I can feel more balanced and capable.

The OT took the program's ideas, plus her own experience and education on sensory processing, autism, etc. and she designed a Sensory Diet for me. A Sensory Diet is an individualized program of regular, sensory-based activities designed to regulate my nervous system, organize my nervous systems functioning, and help me feel both calmer, and more alert.

Rather than being excercise to get fit, lose weight, build muscle or learn a skill, the vestibular, proprioceptive, and kinesthetic input given by these activities settled me, and made it easier to pay attention at home.

We started in a Sensory Room. This is important, because ideally, it will be activities which use your whole body which will help. Squishing clay, playing with fidgets etc., re nice, but we need whole body involvement for our sensory input. Examples in a sensory room include:
A mini trampoline (proprioceptive input for the brain)
Several types of swings (vestibular input)
Tubes to roll in
Ropes to climb (kinesthetic input)
A padded slide to tumble down
A plastic rock wall to climb

At first, after the first day in a sensory room, I didn't notice a big change.... until I noticed I felt so much better the next day!

By the third time in the sensory room, I barely greeted the OT, and ran right to the swing (vestibular) which crashed into the padded walls (proprioceptive) when I yanked hard (kinesthetic) on the ropes hanging near the swing. Wheeeeeeee!!

At home, I could remember things better, do meals and self care better, handle stressors better.

Now I've a Sensory gym at home! I use it before I must go to a doctor, give a presentation, or try to make a meal involving many steps.

Best success at OT!

 

[Southern Discomfort]

excellent, hopefully itll reveal some answers for you,the only thing is, if they mention quite expensive stuff they will be expecting you to buy it- its very hard to get autistic equipment funded,for example they used to give us communication aids funded but they stopped that some years ago.

Thanks, I'll bear that in mind. Money isn't too big of a concern for me, I am trying to save for a car and I'm having to pay for work done to the house, allowing my parents to get by and get things done at the same time. Still, shouldn't be a big deal.

The OT took a long, boring interview about my tendencies, put the results into a computer program, and bingo, out came Results of my individual, unique "Sensory Profile".

I'll be interested to see where they place me at with needs, etc - if they think I could benefit from it to even get to that stage.

We started in a Sensory Room. This is important, because ideally, it will be activities which use your whole body which will help. Squishing clay, playing with fidgets etc.,

Sounds like being a kid again in a playpen.

At home, I could remember things better, do. meals and self care better, handle stressors better.

Now I hVe a Sensory gym at home! I use it before I must go to a doctor, give a presentation, or try to make a meal involving many steps.

Interesting idea that it can affect just how happy you are generally.

Best success at OT!

Encouraging. I wasn't too sure what it would entail since anything on the internet talks about children so I didn't exactly know what is involved for adults. Thanks.

 

[ZebraAutismo]

How handy of them.

I know medical professionals are so smart and dumb (like myself) my sister proper layed into the paediatrician for not having approite support services (she is training to be an OT and wants to work with autistic and learning disabled people).

 

[Warmheart]

A good sensory room suitable for adults has upgraded heavy duty hardware to support vigorous swinging, climbing, bouncing adults. My swing gym has upgraded heavy duty swivels, hooks, strap swing, chains, etc.

Once you get going to OT, you soon learn to give in to cravings you didn't know you had, regarding these activities.
Ultimately, one tends to be one a very vigorous swinger/tumbler/bouncer.

 

[Southern Discomfort]

Once you get going to OT, you soon learn to give in to cravings you didn't know you had, regarding these activities.
Ultimately, one tends to be one a very vigorous swinger/tumbler/bouncer.

So this lack of playfulness when experienced as a child adds more stress to our lives now that we don't have that input? Interesting theory. Adult life is pretty boring in that sense.

 

[Keigan]

Great thread of information to consider, thank you all.