Most people aren't exactly sure of what occupational therapists do, let alone how they fit into the Autism hiring picture. If more people understood the unique value that occupational therapists can bring to many different environments, I have no doubt that OTs would be in many, many different settings!
In short, occupational therapists help people, populations, and communities do things that they want and need to do using evidence-based practice. The American Occupational Therapy Association defines what we do broadly when they state:
“Occupational therapy maximizes health, well-being, and quality of life for all people, populations, and communities through effective solutions that facilitate participation in everyday living.” – American Occupational Therapy Association
Occupational therapists aim to help people succeed by modifying the task, environment, or empowering the individual. This applies very broadly to many populations. OTs help people in skilled nursing facilities perform self-care - getting dressed, brushing their teeth, and the like. They help children in school develop handwriting skills and social skills to participate in school. Some OTs even help refugees navigate a new country - managing mail, doctors appointments, and all of the tasks needed to succeed. Many work in community-based mental health settings to promote participation in the community. This is just a short list of areas and ways in which we can and do help people participate in everyday tasks that are important to them.
Occupational therapists often specialize in certain areas, including in Autism. Below, I've listed some ways that occupational therapists may fit into an Autism Hiring program or initiative at a company.
Pre-Hiring and Hiring
Completing an environmental assessment, taking into consideration the sensory environment, to assess accessibility for individuals with ASD
Restructuring the interview environment to provide minimal distractions for individuals with sensory differences
Training interviewers on alternative techniques for assessing skills
Working with individual candidates to prepare them for the interviewing environment and process
Onboarding
Using task analysis to break down the tasks of onboarding to help an individual be more successful
Creating evidence-based training program using techniques shown to improve learning in individuals with ASD
Training current employees and managers on how to communicate with coworkers with Autism
Collaborating with new employee to identify problem-solving techniques for when issues arise
During the Workday
Creating executive functioning aids to help employees prioritize and manage time
Identifying low-cost sensory accommodations to increase productivity
Creating routines that increase likelihood of continued success with employment activities
Using task analysis to break down the necessary tasks, like analyzing data or conducting a customer service phone call, for employment
Designing mentoring model that includes evidence-based practices to increase vocational skills
Creating visual schedules to help employees better understand layout of each workday
This is just a small snapshot of the skillset that occupational therapists can bring to the corporate workplace, especially in Autism Hiring. With programs and initiatives expanding, you should consider bringing an OT onto your team, even if it's only part time.
コメント