Autism Occupational Therapy Albuquerque
What Is Autism Occupational Therapy?
Autism occupational therapy in Albuquerque helps children with autism work on cognitive, physical, social, and motor skills with the help of Functional Playground Therapies. The goal is to improve everyday skills that allow them to become more independent and participate in a wide range of activities.
For people with autism, occupational therapy programs often focus on play skills, learning strategies, and self-care. Autism occupational therapy strategies can also help to manage sensory issues.
The autism occupational therapist will begin by testing the person’s current level of ability. Autism testing looks at several areas, including how the person:
- Learns
- Plays
- Cares for themselves
- Interacts with their environment
Autism testing will also identify any obstacles that prevent the person from participating in any typical day-to-day activities.
Based on this assessment, the autism therapist creates goals and strategies that will allow the person to work on key skills. Some examples of common goals include:
- Independent dressing
- Eating
- Grooming
- Using the bathroom
- Fine motor skills like writing, coloring, and cutting with scissors
Occupational therapy for autism usually involves half-hour to one-hour sessions. The number of sessions per week is based on individual needs. Some autism OTs are specifically trained to address feeding and swallowing challenges. They can evaluate an issue and provide treatment plans for improving feeding-related challenges. The child with autism may also practice these skills outside of ABA therapy sessions at home and in other settings, including school.
Who Provides Occupational Therapy for Autism?
A licensed Occupational Therapist (OT) from Functional Playground Therapies provides autism occupational therapy services. They have a master’s degree and have passed a national certification exam in New Mexico. You can learn more on the American Occupational Therapy Association website.
In some cases, therapy services are provided by an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA). This is a person with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, who is trained and supervised by a certified OT. The assistant works directly with the person with autism to practice skills and work towards goals that are written by the OT in the clinical treatment plan.
Is Occupational Therapy for Autism Covered by Insurance?
When it comes to occupational therapy for autism, it’s essential to speak with your independent insurance provider to understand what percentage of care is covered under your plan. In many cases, private health insurance covers occupational therapy services, although specifics can fluctuate.
Young children can receive autism occupational therapy through the Early Intervention Program. Early intervention is offered to children up to age three (3) who are not growing or developing as expected. These services are free or low-cost based on your family income.
At Camino Behavioral Health Services, we’re proud to provide our services for free to all Medicaid recipients.
Albuquerque Autism Occupational Therapy
Certified autism occupational therapy programs are run by a multi-faceted group of professionals. Registered Behavior Technicians, ABA Specialists, Autism Spectrum Therapists, Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA), and Occupational Therapists (OT) are all part of the team. We are responsible for working together to help our patients meet their treatment goals.
Camino Behavioral Health partners with Functional Playground Therapies to offer autism occupational therapy in Albuquerque. Call (505) 302-5383 to learn more about our partnership with Functional Playground Therapies.
