A note on language: At Mable, we use identity‑first language when referring to autism and autistic people. We've made this decision based on feedback from our community. We understand different people have different preferences, and we recognise and respect every individual's right to choose how their identity is described.
If your child or young person is autistic, an occupational therapist (OT) is often an important part of their support team. OTs look at the everyday things kids do from getting dressed, eating breakfast or joining a game in the playground to help find practical ways to make each activity easier and more enjoyable. By focusing on a child's strengths and interests, an OT helps build skills and confidence so they can take part in family, school and community life.
To learn more, the Leap in! team spoke with experienced paediatric OT Taryn Lalic about proven approaches, simple at‑home ideas and the role independent support workers can play in reinforcing these strategies.
Could you briefly explain the role of an occupational therapist (OT) in supporting autistic children and young adults?
"I often support autistic children develop emotional regulation skills by helping them understand why they feel big emotions before teaching them how to manage them. I use Dr Dan Siegel's approach to teach kids about their brains – specifically the amygdala (the alarm system) and the prefrontal cortex (the thinking brain). This helps children realise that when they are upset their thinking brain goes offline, a concept known as 'flipping your lid'.
This brain‑based understanding is especially important for autistic children, who may experience intense emotions due to sensory differences, difficulty with change or social demands. Teaching them about their brain builds self‑awareness and makes later strategies more effective.
OT's can help children build friendships too – whether through play skills or by developing social awareness and understanding of body language, tone of voice and personal space. It's a delicate balance, as I aim to be neuro‑affirming; at the same time, many children and their families want to fit in and connect with peers. Our role is to support those goals while honouring each child's unique way of interacting with the world."
How do you approach goal‑setting when a child or young adult wants more independence?
"I never assume goals for a client. An assessment might point me one way, but parents or carers may have different priorities. Children also advocate for themselves as therapy progresses. Recently a child told me, 'I just want to learn how to kick a soccer ball.' After speaking with his parents, we set a new goal; he joined a local club and gained skills socially and physically.
For families of children with Level 3 autism, goals may focus on safety, accessing the community or having a family meal out without distress. Open, sensitive discussion is essential."
What everyday OT strategies can parents or carers try at home?
"Here are three easy strategies:
- Respect each child's style and strengths. If they love trains or fishing, let them lean into it and use that passion to achieve goals.
- Teach children about their brain before teaching coping strategies. Many autistic people like to know why they are doing something.
- Provide plenty of proprioceptive input for children with sensory differences. Activities that involve deep pressure or heavy work – lifting, pushing, pulling, jumping or squeezing – send strong messages to the brain and help the body feel organised and in control."
How do OT strategies change as a child becomes a teenager and young adult?
"Early childhood often centres on play, sensory strategies, motor skills, self‑care and emotional regulation. Tween and teenage years shift toward executive‑functioning skills, deeper social relationships and greater independence in daily routines.
For young adults on the autism spectrum, therapy becomes more functional and goal‑oriented – think vocational skills, time management, community access such as public transport and self‑advocacy."
What challenges do parents or carers face when fostering independence and how can OT help?
"Families commonly struggle with transitions, sensory overwhelm, social expectations, unexpected routine changes and the emotional regulation difficulties that follow. For children requiring very substantial support, challenges may include communication, self‑injury or aggression, and self‑care like feeding or dressing.
OTs provide individualised strategies, tools for emotional and sensory regulation, and work with families to create structured, supportive environments so parents feel confident and children can gain independence over time."
How can independent support workers complement your strategies at home and in the community?
"I've worked with many amazing support workers. They often spend far more time with a client than I do, so coaching and demonstrating strategies alongside them is incredibly effective. Support workers can help reinforce the goals we're working on in therapy – whether that's building independence with daily routines, practising social skills or navigating community spaces.
For autistic teens and young adults, support workers can help them learn how to catch public transport, manage money, cook meals or even just get more comfortable in new social settings."
How do you address sensory sensitivities or regulation challenges?
"First we identify each child's sensory profile – what they seek, what they avoid and how environments affect them. Then we tailor interventions such as a personalised sensory diet, movement breaks, deep pressure activities, fidget tools or quiet spaces, depending on whether the child is sensory‑seeking or sensory‑avoidant."
What resources do you recommend for parents or carers who want to learn more?
- The Out‑of‑Sync Child by Carol Kranowitz
- Audio work by Genevieve Jereb on sensory differences
- Karen Stagnitti's resources on play skills
- Tera Sumpter, Amishi Jha, Russel Barkley on executive functioning
- Dan Siegel and Tina Bryson on emotional regulation (for example The Whole‑Brain Child).
"Many of these experts share strategies through podcasts, social media and accessible online content!"
Working together for long‑term success
Progress often happens when everyone pulls in the same direction. Families, therapists and independent support workers each bring unique knowledge that, combined, can help an autistic child or young adult reach their personal goals.
If you'd like hands-on support to put OT strategies into practice at home or in the community, you can connect with independent support workers through the Mable platform.
Mable and Leap in! are part of the same group of companies under Attain Healthtech, dedicated to helping people attain better outcomes.
