Occupational therapy and applied behavioral analysis therapy are both used to support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While they are like a Venn diagram in many ways - two circles with shared and overlapping space, OT and ABA therapy are not the same.
In many cases, individuals with autism benefit from both therapy modalities; combined, they provide a holistic and collaborative approach to creating processes and therapies to move towards short- and long-term goals. However, there are also cases where one or the other is a better fit for a child’s needs and goals.
If we view OT and ABA therapy as two modalities that are holding hands, the shared link is in the goals that both therapies hold for clients and their families. Therapists in both fields want their clients to experience:
Both OT and ABA will also rely on a therapeutic model that includes:
Ultimately, therapists from both disciplines want clients to thrive and to inspire more informed communities to support their success. However, therapists accomplish these shared goals—and the goals particular to our field—using different tools and processes.
A general description of OT is that therapists work with patients to personalize exercises, techniques, or strategies that support independence in daily activities, including personal care, school/work, and play. The therapies and treatments associated with occupational therapy focus on a person’s whole-body experience: physical, mental, and emotional.
Occupational therapists work with a wide variety of clients, including individuals with autism. So they are focused on whole-body wellness and individualized daily/functional needs, goals, and desires. While some OTs specialize in supporting individuals with ASD, they can be found working with a wide range of populations, including:
They may work with children born with cerebral palsy, adults recovering from a significant injury, stroke victims, those getting used to an amputation, etc.
An occupational therapist working with autistic children is likely to focus on things like:
OT can be used to support individuals at every assessed autism level (1 - 3). In the case of young children who are considered “high-functioning,” it may be a shorter or less intensive experience, designed to provide additional support for them to learn how to be more socially engaged (and how to understand social cues from peers) or to help them with basic daily activities like buttoning their shirts and pants, tying shoes, etc.
Children who have a harder time functioning in a neurotypical environment (levels 2 and 3) may require more permanent or involved OT support. In addition to therapies that help children navigate their daily lives with as much independence as possible, we also help children (and their families) learn how to use adaptive tools or mobility aids that support routine daily activities.
When using an occupational therapy vs ABA therapy model, one of the first significant differences is who the therapies help. Where OTs work with a wide range of patient challenges or needs, ABA therapy is almost exclusively used to support individuals with autism. We can also use ABA therapy to help children with ADD or ADHD if their behaviors are detrimental to their well-being at home, in school, or in the greater social arena.
Also, where occupational therapy primarily focuses on the body and how to navigate the world with greater physical, mental, and emotional ease, ABA therapy is based on the theory that we exhibit certain behaviors as a response to our environment and the resulting feedback (positive or negative). So, therapists work to design personalized behavioral modifications that help our clients enjoy a more balanced day-to-day experience relationally and academically.
So, if a child with autism expresses themselves using behaviors that are detrimental to their safety, the safety of others, functional household/classroom rhythms, or social relationships, ABA therapy assesses the cause or trigger(s) and creates effects (rewards or consequences) that retrain the brain’s response. For this reason, we are more likely to be called to work with children who are diagnosed with Level 2 or 3 autism because these individuals experience greater social deficits and sensitivity to outer stimuli, which can make their behaviors more disruptive or harmful.
NOTE: We recommend children with Level 3 ASD begin ABA therapy by age 3 for the best potential outcomes.
During our assessments and interviews with parents/caregivers and educators, we evaluate the behaviors in question for:
We also evaluate the child’s strengths, interests, hobbies, passions, etc., which helps us to curate behavioral modification plans that integrate those as positive rewards and encouragement.
While a child’s physical well-being and abilities matter to us, we are more concerned with their behaviors, emotional expressions, or delayed/challenged social skills (if it negatively impacts their lives). If we notice there are physical or mental challenges beyond the realm of ABA therapy, we’ll refer parents or caregivers to reputable OTs who work with autism.
In the meantime, we take our time getting to know children and their families to learn more about the behavioral challenges and the best way to address those in their environments. Like OTs, we do initial assessments and continue modifying our plan as we compare and contrast benchmarks and a series of small goals that lead to greater and more sustainable benefits.
ABA therapy includes various modalities, including things like:
Together, we work on positive reinforcement when children practice healthy behavioral modifications, and we use negative consequences to discourage disruptive or harmful behaviors. Negative consequences can be as simple as not getting their favorite sticker, reduced screen time, and so on.
As you can imagine, there are plenty of areas where OT overlaps with ABA therapy, both dedicated to creating more whole, balanced, and emotionally fulfilled individuals.
If you want to learn more about applied behavioral analysis and our therapeutic model, schedule a consultation with the Autism Response Team. After learning more about your child, family, and needs/goals, we can determine whether ABA therapy is the right fit. If not, we are happy to refer you to some of our area’s most skilled, compassionate, and experienced OTs.
