OT
For Autism

At Ignite Healthcare, our OTs support individuals with autism at all levels.

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OT for Autism

We focus on building skills for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as: personal care, domestic tasks, community involvement, social skills and communication, and time management and organisation

We work together to make these tasks feel doable, building confidence and independence along the way.

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Who We Support

The majority of our participants with autism fall between level 2 and 3, including teenagers and adults.

We also work with children with ASD. If you’re interested in paediatric OT, you can read more about it here.

Some of the regular requests we receive surround:

  • Behaviours of concern
  • Improving daily routines
  • Increasing participation in various activities

We provide OT services across Melbourne and Brisbane and are NDIS registered to offer the support needed.

Creating a Unique Environment to Support You

Creating a safe and comfortable environment is a big part of making therapy work.

Before each visit, we take the time to learn about you – what you like, what you don’t, and anything that might make sessions feel easier or harder.

This helps us shape the experience in a way that feels right for you and creates a psychologically safe environment where you can engage at your own pace.

In addition to meeting you in the comfort of your home, we also consider things like play-style engagement, games, or background media to make sessions feel more natural and enjoyable.

It’s all about what works best for you.

For example, some people like to hold something in their hands while they chat or focus, like play-doh, a toy, or a knitting kit. Small adjustments like these can make a big difference in helping you feel at ease and more involved.

How OTs Support Social & Communication Skills for Autism

When we think about communication, Speech Pathologists often come to mind. They focus on language and speech—how words are used and understood.

OTs look at a different but equally important piece of the puzzle: the sensory side of interactions. For example, bright lights, background noise, or unpredictable social cues can make communication feel overwhelming or, on the other hand, not stimulating enough to stay engaged. That’s where OT can help.

By understanding your sensory needs, OTs work with you to make communication feel more comfortable. This might include role-playing social situations to ease anxiety, build confidence, and make real-world interactions feel more natural.

Speech and OT go hand in hand, helping make communication feel more accessible and less overwhelming in a way that works for you.

Listening to Meaningful Goals

We believe listening isn’t just part of the process. It’s where it all begins, because real progress starts with understanding what’s important to you.

Your NDIS plan may include a list of broad goals, and, what really matters is whether they still reflect what you want and need. Maybe you’re thinking:

  • “I want to shower on my own”
  • “I want to be able to brush my teeth without feeling uncomfortable with the texture of the brush”

We take time to understand what’s important to you, working with you, your family, and your supports to shape these into functional goals; goals that are practical, meaningful, and helpful for your daily life.

Sometimes your goals are clear from the start, other times, when we meet we may workshop them together to reflect your wants and needs. It may look like starting small with something that feels more achievable and working your way up to your long term goals. Either way, we’re here to listen and to make sure that your goals work for you.

The Importance of Involving your Support Network

Your support network plays a big role in your daily life.

While OT sessions provide tools and strategies, what happens outside of those sessions matters just as much. That’s why, a big part of your OT’s role is helping your support network build the skills to support you in ways that feel helpful and natural.

For example, if you experience noise sensitivity, your OT might recommend noise-cancelling earplugs and work with you on self-regulation strategies. They may also help your family recognise when noise is becoming overwhelming for you, and learn how to respond in a way that supports you.

Building these strategies into everyday life can make a real difference.

About the Initial Session

Your first session is all about getting to know you. What’s important, what’s working well, and where you might need support.

We’ll start with a conversation, asking questions to understand your daily life. If you’re comfortable and able to be involved, you’ll be part of this process. If not, we’ll chat with the people who know you best, like your family or other key supports.

Together, we’ll look at your functional skills across different areas of daily living, observe your environment, and, if needed, schedule follow-ups to see how you complete tasks in real time.

This helps us build a clear picture of your strengths, challenges, and the support that will work best for you.

What If I Have Questions Before Getting Started?

We’d love for you to ask your questions before engaging us

You can:

Call us

Leave us a message via our contact page

We’re here to help and happy to chat. Reach out anytime, we’d love to hear from you.

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Meet Our Occupational Therapists

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Finding the right OT support is important, and we make sure our team is backed by experience. Every clinician has guidance from our senior team through a strong supervision structure, so you can feel confident knowing your support is well-informed and tailored to you.
There’s no set timeline because it really depends on what you need. In most cases, we work with people over the long term- anywhere from a year to many years, often with fortnightly sessions. We focus on what works best for you and adjust as needed.

There are some great community-based social and day programs out there, and our OTs can help you find the right fit. These spaces are designed to bring people together, build friendships, and create meaningful social connections in a way that feels natural and supportive.

We know the NDIS process can feel a bit overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Our team can help by providing assessments and reports to support your application, making it easier to access funding for the supports you need.

We’ll work with you to highlight your needs and give you the best chance of securing the right funding for your situation.

The Ignite Healthcare Way

Integrity First

We keep it real, always. Because doing what’s right is what matters most.

Progress Over Perfection

It’s not about being perfect; growth is a journey, not a finish line.

Beginers Mindset

Curiosity fuels us. t’s how we grow, learn, and create impact.

Joy of the Journey

Every moment counts. We’re all about finding the magic in the everyday.