Occupational therapy-starts tomorrow! eek! what's it like??

Post Reply New Topic

I finally got a appt with a occupational therapist who specializes in sensory processing disorder, but it's tomorrow! EEK! it was tomorrow or sometime in march....

I'm SUPER anxious about it because it's different from the therapy I'm used to(DBT/talk therapy)

Anybody here been to occupational therapy before? what's it like??

AHHH! I'm so anxious!!

anybody??

I'd like to know too.

They'll probably want to help you soothe your sensory system that's socially acceptable--like, by being in a swing, or doing some sort of activity that involves spinning.

ooOOo it was great! I got to be in this huge layered hammock made of lyrica fabric for most of the interview, she pushed it like a swing, I felt so much better about being there. then we did some other exercises one involved being on this swing that was like a padded post and throwing beanbags into a target thingy. Then there was this weird brushing thingy. and at some point I'll start this special therapeutic sensory listening thing.

overall it was fun!!



my next appt is Thursday and we're going to work in the pool!

Hey there!

I'm an OT. I've worked with kids/adult with autism, though that isn't my focus at the moment.

The OT will probably ask you questions about what issues are difficult for you, and ask why you're there to see them. (if they don't already know)

Depending on what you're seeing the OT for, they might have you fill out some paper evaluations - if you're there for sensory processing problems, they will probably have you fill out a paper evaluation asking about different sensory issues, etc. If you have problems with writing, they might give you a writing evaluation. They might test your gross motor skills, or ask about your daily living skills or social skills, or whatever your most pressing issues are. Then you set goals based on your evaluations and come up with a plan to meet those goals.

So basically, the OT will get your subjective opinions about what you need, will objectively evaluate you using some kind of evaluation tool, and then make a plan and set goals. In further sections you'll work on those goals.

OT for autism is generally pleasant and fun, like Trinket said, but what you'll do depends on your age, level of function, and other personal things. It is usually very much based on what you want and need, and your relationship with your OT is more like a team than it is like a doctor-patient relationship. Hope that helps.

I work with, and for, practicing OT's. OT resists the medical model of care to
a greater extent than any health science in "mainstream" medicine. Its model
of care is more compatible with the idea of "recovery," as opposed to "cure,"
than any other health science. In other words, the more you know about OT,
the more you grow to like it.

lucky i was put on a waiting list 4 years ago they never got back to me

I might have to do that...
What kind of sensory problems do you have? I am 15 right now. I didn't even know they did OT for anyone who was not a young child. Your profile says you are a grownup. Have you gone back? Is it helping?
Sorry if I'm bothering you.