Before and After Occupational Therapy: The First Bite of Sandwich

When parents first hear the term Occupational Therapy (OT), it’s easy to assume it has to do with jobs. The word “occupation” often brings to mind adults at work, not young children learning to eat, play, or dress themselves. In reality, Occupational Therapy for children is something very different—and it can be one of the most impactful forms of support for child development.

For autistic children, Occupational Therapy is about building the skills they need for everyday life. Eating with a spoon, brushing teeth, handling noisy environments, climbing at the playground, writing in school—these are the “occupations” of childhood. And for us, OT gave my son not just tools, but confidence.

What Is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy helps kids and adults build the skills they need to thrive in daily routines. For autistic children, this often includes:

• Fine motor skills: using fingers and hands for writing, buttoning, or using utensils.
• Gross motor skills: balancing, climbing, riding a scooter, or strengthening core muscles.
• Self-care: dressing, toileting, brushing teeth, feeding.
• Sensory processing: understanding and responding to textures, sounds, or lights.
• Emotional regulation: coping with transitions, calming after meltdowns.
• Play and social skills: turn-taking, imaginative play, or engaging with peers.

That wide range is what makes Occupational Therapy so valuable. It meets kids where they are and helps them succeed in the moments that matter most.

Why OT Matters for Autistic Kids

Autistic children often face challenges in the exact areas Occupational Therapy addresses. For example:

• Struggling to tolerate clothing textures.
• Refusing foods because of sensory sensitivities.
• Avoiding playground activities due to coordination difficulties.
• Melting down in grocery stores or classrooms because of sensory overload.

These challenges might sound small, but they can make daily life harder—for both the child and the family. When we began OT, its positive impact on daily life became clear right away. Suddenly, mealtime wasn’t a battle. Getting dressed became smoother. Playtime became more joyful instead of stressful.

Inside an OT Session

One of my favorite things about Occupational Therapy is that it often looks like play. My son’s sessions included swings, obstacle courses, Play-Doh, puzzles, scooter boards, and even silly games like fishing for magnetic letters. But behind the fun, every activity had a purpose.

Some examples:

• Swinging helped regulate his nervous system.
• Scooter boards built core strength and coordination.
• Play-Doh and beads strengthened his hands for writing.
• Sensory bins helped him tolerate new textures.

One day, he lay belly-down on a scooter board, reaching with a magnetic pole to “fish” for letters. He thought it was hilarious. I thought it was just a game. The OT session was actually targeting his balance, fine motor control, and letter recognition all at once. That’s the beauty of OT—it’s fun and therapeutic at the same time.

Sensory Processing and Occupational Therapy

One of the biggest ways OT helped us was by explaining my son’s sensory needs. Even as a baby, Luca didn’t like being held—something I later learned was tied to his sensitivities. As he grew, the challenges became clearer. Something as ordinary as eating a sandwich felt impossible. The combination of textures was overwhelming, and for years I believed he would never be able to enjoy one.

That single struggle shaped so much of our daily life. Mealtimes were tense, outings were limited, and I often felt discouraged. But OT reframed everything. It wasn’t stubbornness; it was his nervous system trying to cope. That shift in perspective alone was life-changing.

Through OT, we were introduced to the concept of a “sensory diet.” Not food-related, but a set of activities designed to regulate his nervous system—like jumping on a trampoline before school or using chewy tools instead of biting his shirt.

With time, patience, and the right supports, Luca began to manage his sensitivities differently. Then, at six years old, he surprised us all by taking a bite of a sandwich—and loving it. That small, joyful moment was proof of just how impactful OT can be in everyday life.

His progress also made me reflect on my own sensory quirks. For instance, I still have to tiptoe on wood floors because the sensation is uncomfortable, so I always have to pack slippers for trips. Sometimes I wonder if getting OT as a child would have helped me, too. That realization deepened my appreciation for how much OT can support children early on.

If you’re looking for simple sensory-friendly activities to try at home, I’ve found The OT Toolbox really helpful. It’s full of ideas that make therapy concepts easier to bring into everyday routines.

Building Independence Through OT

The greatest gift of Occupational Therapy is independence. Skills like buttoning a shirt, brushing teeth, or sitting calmly in a noisy room may seem small, but they’re big milestones for an autistic child.
With the right OT support, children learn:

• Zip a jacket without frustration.
• Try new foods with less fear.
• Write their name more clearly.
• Join peers in games at recess.

Each success builds pride, confidence, and hope. OT reminds us that progress doesn’t always happen in giant leaps, but in meaningful steps forward.

How OT Works With Other Therapies

Occupational Therapy often works hand in hand with other supports. For example:

• With speech therapy, OT can help a child hold and use an AAC device
• With ABA therapy, OT can focus on fine motor goals like self-care tasks
• With feeding therapy, OT can support children in reducing texture sensitivities

This kind of teamwork ensures that skills are practiced across settings—and more likely to stick in everyday life.

Final Encouragement

If your child is starting Occupational Therapy, remember this: it’s not about fixing them. It’s about supporting them in building the skills that bring independence and joy. Along the way, OT also shifts how we see growth. Challenges become opportunities, and every small step forward feels worth celebrating.

In the end, Occupational Therapy offers more than skills—it brings hope, connection, and a reminder that progress comes in many meaningful forms.