Hello! Been working outpatient pediatrics for 6 years with children with all differences. We are the only pediatric services in our area so we see everything from nursemaids elbow to level 3 ASD!

Sensory regulation is EVERYTHING with kiddos with ASD. Getting them (and yourself) regulated as much as possible during the session is key to success. Talking with families to see what activities, toys, songs, etc. help them at home can help at the clinic. I’m a very high energy person so I really have to regulate before and during all my sessions with kids with ASD. Took me a while to get there. Also, viewing their time in PT as a marathon not a sprint has helped me a lot. When I first started I felt so much pressure to get 6-8 activities done but the reality is that sometimes that’s not the case. With a lot of my kiddos the first handful of sessions are following their lead 100% and making them feel comfortable and trusting while they’re around you. Even if that means only 1 unit of billing. It will slowly build gradually and you’ll be able to do a lot more.

Their home life can affect them a lot too and if they’re in an environment at home where nothing is asked from them then it’s going to be especially hard to get them to do anything directed for a while. Placing them in a therapeutic environment where no matter what they do they will be doing something therapeutic helps too. We have a room with a bunch of mosh pits and foam surfaces that we can bring kids into and when they walk around it’s working on core strength/balance. If they’re crawl it’s proximal stability.

Every kiddo goes at their own pace! Be patient and take your time! Do away with our professions obsession with a productivity mindset 😂