We found an OT that is a sensory specialist (having sensory issues herself). She is exceptional!!! We had dealt with OT's before to help with writing, coordination, etc. But it seemed like we were at a point as good as it was going to be until we met our current OT. Suddenly, we had tons of new ideas and things to try. She did very thorough testing on his sensory issues and other issues and would make suggestions to deal with things. She has led us to the perfect speech therapist and to a job connection program (that she wrote) as well as leading us to a group training service dogs for autism. We now have a service dog for our son. It has been wonderful for him.

OT can help the autistic cope with the world around him/her. But even the greatest OT needs help and support from the family. I cannot tell you how many times I heard my child's teacher say "Most of the kids in my class don't know how to order .... from a store" or "xxx has never been to a grocery store, done laundry, etc". You get the idea of where I am heading. Take what the OT teaches and then add things done with the family. My 18 year autistic knows how to load the washing machine, reheat his dinner, order a meal and shop for food. All of these things are long range goals OT worked on with him and we supplemented with family activities. Remember the goal of all of this is to help your child to live in society.

@MyZettel Wow you almost said it like an OT!! Thanks for stating that so clearly.

I think the biggest way to tell a good OT from a OK OT is the one that looks at helping the child 24/7 days a week. The first OT my youngest saw did everything in office and handed a packet paper once to suggest a few sensory diet things. NOOOO demonstrations or explanations. Only had time to say "they did great see you next week" "Oh and your child is never allow to have fits in office EVER you will have to cancel."

Night and Day. The current place was a family sensory orientated enviroment. 5 mins with Chris and we had a wealth of information on Techniques for calming, or sensory diet, 3 crisis tools bag techniques for over pshyical time. The main focus is how to help the child everyday in her enviroment. SO there in incoorination with other caregiver and provider. Everytime there is hand-on demonstration for you of how to work with the child. Chris always looks at the Sensory side of things and how can we make this better.

Question are always welcome and encouraged. They have also pointed out good resources of Sensory items. They have always given 200%. Now hopefully everyone esle has a OT as great as ours!

I have had some great OTs. You know a great OT when they have a one on one with you and they take what you say into the therapy room. They ask questions like what are their favorite toys, activitie, pics, or sayings. They let you see what they are doing(two way mirrow or when the time is right in the session).
They give you homework! OT HAS TO BE DONE AT HOME BY YOU! It just doesn't start and stop with the therapist. Study OT, ask questions, see what it is for. You will be able to feel a good feeling or a bad feeling about an OT.

Both outside and school OT are essential and have helped our, now 14 yr old son. We learned how to help him better at home and see him open up in areas where he would just shut down. He has almost defeated his tactile defensiveness and more - being able to be hugged, touch food with his fingers, not have hand cramps from being so forceful when using a pencil, sitting up straight, swinging on a swing!, wiping his mouth with a napkin, putting his face under the shower water (with goggles) - so much more over his 14 yrs. We did 1 hr twice weekly of outside OT, 3 times/week at school all through elementary school including ABA. OT placed him at reaching his goals in middle school and he doesn't seem to have a need for outside OT right now, but we will always reinforce what we gratefully have learned from all, especially him.