• Does your child with Autism get upset when things don’t happen on their timeline?
• Does your child with Autism have meltdowns when it’s time to leave the park or go to bed?
• Does your child with Autism drop to the ground and scream, cry, hit, kick, or spit when it’s time to leave one environment and go to another?

 
Transitions can be difficult for children with Autism for a couple of reasons: 

• A child’s concepts of time, sequencing, and “cause and effect” are still developing.
• A child’s ability to comprehend what is happening may be limited.
• A child does not want to stop doing things that are fun and does not want to engage in things that are not fun.

 
Not to worry! We have some simple strategies to help your child with Autism transition without meltdowns

• “First/Then” Language

Simply using the phrase “First/Then” lets a child know what is currently happening and then what will be happening next. This will help decrease any anxiety or fear of the unknown for your child with Autism. For example:

• “First we will go to the store, then we will go to the park”
• “First we put on shoes, then we go to school”
• “First we eat dinner, then we play”

 

• Routine

This can sometimes be difficult to do based on a family’s schedule but if possible, having a consistent routine can be very helpful for children with Autism. This helps a child with Autism anticipate what will be expected of them and when things happen. For example, if a child knows that typically on Saturdays we make breakfast as a family, go grocery shopping, then go to the park, this consistency of routine will help a child with Autism transition through their day with less meltdowns.


See you soon!

-Michael Jankowski, MS, OTR/L

In the school setting, children can receive similar therapy services as we discussed in our previous post – Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Behavioral supports to help children be successful and achieve their goals in the school environment.

In addition, Individualized Educational Programs (IEP) and 504 plans can be set up for children who have a diagnosis to provide them with further supports and accommodations so a child can be successful and achieve their goals in the school environment.
 
Ultimately what school services your child qualifies for will be determined by multiple factors including your child’s diagnosis, medical history, doctor/pediatrician, physical location, and availability of services.
 
I want to quickly note that these services I am discussing are based on school services that are provided in North America and may vary in their description or scope of practice depending on where you are located.

See you soon!

-Michael Jankowski, MS, OTR/L

A family recently asked me about what specific therapy services their child may benefit from. 

This is a great question and I wanted to provide a quick reference resource for everyone about typical therapy services provided for children with Autism.
 

• Occupational Therapy (sometimes referred to as "OT") helps children with:
  • Self care skills – such as feeding themselves with a spoon or fork, getting dressed, washing their hands, and their personal hygiene.
  • Fine motor skill development – such as using zippers and buttons on their clothes, squeezing snaps together, holding a pencil, and using scissors.
  • Visual motor integration – such as writing their name, catching a ball, and eye hand coordination.
  • Sensory Integration or "SI" – helps children make sense of the world around them and helps their brain process the multiple sensory inputs they are receiving from their eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hands, body, and movement.

 

• Speech Therapy (sometimes referred to as "ST") - Speech Therapists help children with their ability to communicate, speak, and understand what other people are saying.

 

• Feeding Therapy - Both Occupational Therapists and Speech Therapists with additional training and certification can provide Feeding Therapy which helps children who may have extra sensitivity in their mouth which can cause them to have difficulty tolerating and eating different food and textures.

 

• Physical Therapy (sometimes referred to as "PT") - Help children who have developmental, neuromuscular, skeletal, or other acquired disorders/diseases. Physical Therapy treatments focus mainly on improving gross motor skills, balance, coordination, strength, and endurance.

 

• Applied Behavior Analysis (sometimes referred to as "ABA") helps children and families when their child shows frequent and multiple negative task avoiding behaviors.

I hope this resource helps! If you have any specific questions about what therapy services your child may benefit from, send me an email at: mike@goflowoccupationaltherapy.com
​
​-Michael Jankowski, MS, OTR/L

Mike on Finding Arizona Podcast #247 - 7/18/2020

In this episode, I talk in detail with Jose about the origin of Flow Occupational Therapy, Flow's history, and why I love what I do. As the podcast continues I go into detail about the services I provide for families and my ultimate goal, drive, and purpose for Flow Occupational Therapy.

Jose and Brittany were absolutely amazing Podcast hosts and I truly appreciate them supporting me and Flow Occupational therapy! Please check out their website https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com and follow them on social media:

• https://www.instagram.com/findingarizonapodcast/
• https://www.facebook.com/findingarizonapodcast

In addition, make sure subscribe to their podcast for all things Arizona (I have multiple episodes downloaded I can't wait to listen to.)

   Interested in booking one of our Free 15-minute consultation phone calls we discuss in the podcast? Click here!

Thank you again, Jose and Brittany!