The Parent's Guide to Occupational Therapy for Autism and Other Special Needs: Practical Strategies for Motor Skills, Sensory Integration, Toilet Training, and More

by Cara Koscinski

With the help of this handy guide, you can bring tried and tested occupational therapy activities into your home and encourage your child to succeed with everyday tasks while having fun in the process.This expanded edition of the award-winning book includes new advice on toilet training, coping with changes in routine, repetitive behaviors, self-regulation and much more. The simple explanations and easy exercises will soon make daily activities enjoyable and productive.

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 21, 2016

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

My paperback version index is completely out of wack, so the usefulness of the pocket book loses a point. However I found this guide very useful and informative.

I'm very new to the world of autism and feel like I'm bombarded with information that I'm unable to sift through, this book takes all the questions and answers them simply, with explanations of why it's happening, examples of what it looks like, or what it might feel like.

The book then goes further and gives you activities to try, whether that's to help strengthen muscles (Oral exercises to strengthen the mouth which impact drooling and speech) or help organise a child's nervous system with "heavy work" (pushing, pulling, lifting, yoga etc)

As someone with no prior knowledge... Or at least very basic knowledge of ASD I have found this book an excellent first step. Whilst this is not a replacement for an OT, it does however open the doors for parents and carers to explore the child's world and learn to understand them and their needs, and respond in ways that are helpful rather than detrimental.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for parents of children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Most of these techniques are used in our Occupational Therapy (OT) sessions. This book provides tools to use at home to expand on therapy. Loved the web resources as well! Borrowed it from the library but purchasing a copy for home.

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew: there are Sensory Diets--and they have nothing to do with what foods you eat. Also? There are at least 7 senses.

(
Dear XTC,

The times are changing. We count the senses as more than five. Please make a new song.

Love,
Janie
.)

Since reading this book, I've come across these ideas all over the place.

[Laura C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of useful information although some information is only relevant in America.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gives great ideas to enhance your understanding what occupational therapy is, why it is important, the different types of therapy, and how to implement it into your home. Simple to understand and a quick read. Couple of drawbacks is she repeats some ideas and does not show pictures or explain in depth some of the therapies to implement into your home. Otherwise a really good read and also provides additional resources at the end of her book.

[Rosemary]

Flipped through this, it looked quite helpful but mostly not relevant to my situation.