Occupational Therapy for Children

Occupational therapy focuses on helping individuals engage in meaningful daily activities (occupations) — self-care, school/work tasks, sensory regulation, fine motor tasks, planning, and executive functioning. For autistic clients, OT helps to understand occupational engagement. This can lead to developing supports for sensory processing, building on motor skills, sense of competence, and daily life skills like sleeping, eating, washing and dressing (to name just a few).

Our OT services are delivered by CORU registered, garda-vetted, experienced occupational therapists with specialist training in autism and sensory integration. They work as part of the Multi-Disciplinary Team at AutismCare, coordinating closely with psychologists, speech & language therapists, and other specialists. Our occupational therapy team has extensive experience working across both the public and private healthcare sectors.

We begin with an intake interview to understand your strengths, challenges, routines, and goals. If we feel OT is a good fit, we discuss what sessions will entail. Usually the focus is on understanding how your child engages in occupations (or activities of daily life). That's followed by in-person play-based, child-led sessions where the OT interacts and or observes your child at play. We can then help you and your child to develop ways of finding appropriate support for occupational engagement at home, school or any life context.

Hands-on assessments, sensory observations, and certain interventions are delivered in person at our clinics (Rathfarnham, Dublin, Cork City). In some cases, it may be appropriate to undertake some sessions online, it is worth discussing this directly with your occupational therapist at AutismCare.

Our occupational therapy service is primarily for children, however adults can also avail of the service if they contact us directly by phone. Our approach and goals vary depending on age, profile, and life stage.

• Sensory processing and modulation (e.g. over- or under-responsivity)
• Gross and fine motor coordination
• Handwriting, keyboarding, drawing, manipulation skills
• Planning, organisation, time management, task initiation
• Daily living skills (e.g. dressing, grooming, eating)
• Fatigue management, energy conservation
• Adaptive strategies & assistive technology (tools, modifications)

It depends on the starting point, frequency of sessions, and your consistency with home-based strategies. Many children see noticeable gains in specific areas (e.g. routine, sensory control) within 6–12 weeks.

No. Our OT team collaborates with psychologists, SLTs, and others to ensure strategies are integrated, consistent, and supportive across settings. Findings and progress can also be shared with your child's GP.

You or your clinician can request an OT referral once your assessment is underway or completed. We'll schedule an intake evaluation to understand your goals and baseline.

It depends on goals, severity, and progress. Some clients may require a short course (4-8 sessions); others may need ongoing therapy with tapering follow-ups over a longer period of time, your occupational therapist at AutismCare should be able to advise you here.

Standard OT sessions last 45 to 60 minutes. Some may be shorter or extended depending on the activity and client needs.

In some cases this can be appropriate for strategy coaching, planning, and consultation. However, in-person sessions are preferred for early sessions, observation of play or shared experience, physical tasks, and direct intervention.

Bring any relevant assessment or reports (if non-AutismCare reports), and video/photographs of your daily routines. If you use any assistive devices or tools (e.g. writing aids, communication devices), bring those too.

Often yes. Depending on your insurance plan. We can provide invoices, registration numbers, and clinical codes to support your claim.

Yes. Flexible payment options are available; sessions can be structured to allow easier payment scheduling.

Yes. Many clients can claim ~20% back as a medical expense from Revenue. We provide necessary documentation.

That's fine. We will coordinate schedules and ensure intervention plans complement rather than conflict.