Occupational Therapy for Adults With Autism

You may also see this service described as Occupational Therapy for adults with autism, adult autism Occupational Therapy or OT for adults with autism.

We use identity-first language such as autistic adult where appropriate while respecting each person's individual language and preferences.

Occupational Therapy is not about trying to make an autistic person appear less autistic.

Instead, OT can help identify barriers in everyday life and find practical ways to make activities, routines and environments work better for you.

This might involve changing the activity, adapting your environment, exploring equipment or technology, developing strategies that suit you, or identifying additional supports.

Start With a Free 20-Minute OT Meet & Greet

Not sure whether Occupational Therapy is right for you?

You can start with a free 20-minute Meet & Greet with one of our Occupational Therapists.
This is an opportunity to:

• talk about what you would like support with
• ask questions about Occupational Therapy
• discuss your goals and priorities
• learn about the therapist's approach
• see whether the therapist may be a good fit
• discuss possible next steps

There is no obligation to proceed.

The Meet & Greet is an introductory conversation. It is not a formal assessment, therapy session, diagnostic assessment or report.

Book Your Free 20-Minute OT Meet & Greet

How Can Occupational Therapy Support Autistic Adults?

Autism can affect people in very different ways.

You may need substantial support in some areas of life while being highly independent in others. Your support needs may also change depending on your environment, health, responsibilities, sensory demands, stress or life stage.

Occupational Therapy looks at the interaction between:

You
Your strengths, preferences, sensory experiences, communication, movement, cognition, energy, interests and support needs.

The Activities You Need or Want to Do
This could include personal care, preparing meals, managing your home, travelling, working, studying, shopping, attending appointments, participating in the community or pursuing hobbies and interests.

Your Environment
Your home, workplace, education setting, community, sensory environment, routines, technology, equipment and the people around you.

Rather than assuming the person needs to change, OT can explore whether the activity, environment or support around the person can change too.

---

What Can an OT Help an Autistic Adult With?

The right support depends on you and what you want to achieve.

Occupational Therapy may help with areas such as:

• everyday routines
• personal care
• cooking and meal preparation
• household tasks
• shopping
• planning and organisation
• starting and completing tasks
• sensory needs
• managing demanding environments
• energy and fatigue
• sleep-related routines within OT scope
• motor skills and coordination
• community access
• public transport and getting around
• work and study participation
• Assistive Technology
• adaptive equipment
• home modifications
• seating and mobility
• maintaining independence
• understanding functional support needs
• Functional Capacity Assessments
• preparing for changes in routines or environments

Support is individualised rather than based on assumptions about what an autistic adult should be able to do.

---

Daily Living & Independence

Some autistic adults find particular everyday activities difficult, exhausting, overwhelming or hard to complete consistently.
An Occupational Therapist can explore activities such as:

• showering and personal care
• dressing
• preparing meals
• eating routines
• household cleaning
• laundry
• shopping
• managing belongings
• getting ready to leave home
• attending appointments
• managing daily routines
• participating in household responsibilities

The aim is not necessarily to complete an activity in one particular or "normal" way.

We can explore what works for you.

This might include changing the steps involved, simplifying an activity, using visual or technological supports, adapting the environment, introducing equipment or identifying where assistance is appropriate.

Explore ​Autism, Daily Living & Independence for Adults
Learn About Activities of Daily Living Assessments

---

Sensory Needs & Everyday Environments

Sensory experiences can have a significant impact on everyday participation.

An autistic adult may experience particular environments as overwhelming, distracting, uncomfortable or exhausting because of:

• noise
• lighting
• touch
• textures
• smells
• movement
• temperature
• crowds
• visual clutter
• unpredictable sensory input

Other people may seek or need particular sensory input to feel comfortable, regulated or focused.

An Occupational Therapist can help explore your individual sensory experiences and how they interact with everyday activities and environments.

Support may include practical environmental adjustments, changes to routines, equipment, sensory strategies or planning for environments that are particularly demanding.

The goal is not to make you tolerate unnecessary discomfort. It is to help create environments and routines that are more workable for you.

Explore  Sensory Support for Autistic Adults

---

Planning, Organisation & Executive Function

Everyday life involves a large number of hidden organisational demands.

You might know exactly what needs to be done but still find it difficult to:

• get started
• work out where to begin
• sequence multiple steps
• estimate how long something will take
• transition between activities
• remember tasks
• manage competing priorities
• organise belongings
• complete tasks before moving to something else
• adapt when plans unexpectedly change

OT can help explore practical systems that reduce the executive-function demands of everyday life.

Strategies might involve changing the environment, breaking tasks into manageable steps, visual systems, reminders, technology, routines or reducing unnecessary demands.

Explore Executive Function & Routines for Autistic Adults

---

Routines, Predictability & Changes

Routines can provide structure, predictability and reduce the amount of planning required throughout the day.

Changes to routines can sometimes create significant additional demands.

An OT may help you:

• establish routines that work for you
• simplify complicated routines
• prepare for predictable changes
• develop systems for appointments or regular activities
• reduce unnecessary transitions
• plan around high-demand parts of the day
• identify environmental factors affecting your routine

The goal is not to remove routines that are helpful. It is to support routines that make everyday life more manageable.

---

Energy, Fatigue & Everyday Demands

Some autistic adults experience significant fatigue associated with the cumulative demands of everyday life.

An OT can look at how your activities, routines and environments affect your energy across the day or week.

This may involve exploring:

• activity demands
• rest and recovery
• pacing
• scheduling
• environmental demands
• competing responsibilities
• energy conservation
• ways of reducing unnecessary effort
• Assistive Technology or equipment

The aim is to help you use your available energy for the activities that matter most to you.
Explore Energy Conservation Occupational Therapy

---

Work, Study & Productive Roles

Work, university, TAFE, volunteering and other productive roles can involve more than completing the actual work.
There may also be demands associated with:

• commuting
• sensory environments
• organising tasks
• deadlines
• switching between tasks
• managing interruptions
• navigating unfamiliar environments
• balancing work or study with daily living
• maintaining routines outside work or study

Occupational Therapy can explore practical strategies, environmental changes and routines that support participation in these roles.

---

Community Participation

Being part of the community means different things to different people.
For you, it might include:

• shopping
• attending appointments
• using public transport
• going to the gym
• participating in hobbies
• visiting friends or family
• volunteering
• attending groups
• going to events
• accessing community services

​OT can help identify barriers that make community activities difficult and explore practical ways to make participation more accessible and sustainable.
​
Your goals should reflect the life you want to live rather than someone else's idea of what community participation should look like.

---

Motor Skills & Coordination

Autistic adults may also experience differences or difficulties with coordination, motor planning, balance or completing physical tasks.

Occupational Therapy may support functional activities involving:

• coordination
• motor planning
• fine motor skills
• gross motor skills
• everyday movement
• functional task performance

Where motor skills are a significant concern, assessment can help identify how they affect everyday activities and what supports may be useful.
Explore Motor Skills & Motor Planning for Adults

---

Assistive Technology & Equipment for Autistic Adults

Assistive Technology does not have to be complicated.

It can include simple or more specialised equipment and technology that makes everyday activities safer, easier or more accessible.

Depending on your functional needs, an OT may assess and recommend appropriate Assistive Technology or adaptive equipment.
This can involve considering:

• the activity you need to complete
• your environment
• your preferences
• functional needs
• safety
• how the equipment will actually be used in everyday life

Explore
Assistive Technology & Equipment
Assistive Technology Assessments
Adaptive Equipment Assessment & Prescription

---

Home Modifications

Sometimes the physical environment creates unnecessary barriers.

An Occupational Therapist can assess how you use your home and whether modifications may improve accessibility, safety or independence.

Recommendations depend on your individual functional needs and home environment.
Explore Home Modifications 
Explore Home Modification Assessments

---

Functional Capacity Assessments for Autistic Adults

A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) looks at how your disability affects your everyday functioning and support needs.
For an autistic adult, this can involve considering areas such as:

• self-care
• daily living
• communication
• mobility
• social and community participation
• learning
• self-management
• home activities
• work or study
• Assistive Technology
• support required from other people

An FCA should consider your actual day-to-day functioning rather than relying only on what you can do in ideal circumstances or during a single appointment.

Learn About Functional Capacity Assessments

​Do I Need a Functional Capacity Assessment?
How to Prepare for a Functional Capacity Assessment

---

Occupational Therapy Assessments & Reports

You may need an OT assessment or report to better understand your functional needs, plan supports or provide evidence for a particular purpose.

Depending on the assessment required and clinician scope, this may include:

• functional assessment
• Activities of Daily Living assessment
• Functional Capacity Assessment
• Assistive Technology assessment
• home modification assessment
• cognitive assessment
• SDA assessment
• SIL assessment

Not every Occupational Therapist provides every type of assessment. Our team can help determine which clinician may be suitable for what you need.

Explore Occupational Therapy Assessments & Reports
What to Expect From an OT Assessment
​How to Prepare for an OT Assessment

---

NDIS Occupational Therapy for Autistic Adults

Belong Health is an NDIS registered provider.

Occupational Therapy may be relevant where an autistic person's disability affects everyday function and the support is appropriate to their individual circumstances and NDIS plan.

OT support may involve therapy, assessment, Assistive Technology, functional recommendations or reports depending on your goals, needs, funding and clinician scope.

Having an autism diagnosis does not mean everyone needs the same support.

We focus on understanding your individual functional needs and goals.
Understanding the NDIS Functional Domains

---

Private Occupational Therapy for Autistic Adults

You do not need to be an NDIS participant to enquire about Occupational Therapy.
Belong Health also accepts private clients.

Contact our team and we can discuss what you are looking for, whether we have an appropriate Occupational Therapist and the applicable fees before you proceed.

---

In-Home Occupational Therapy for Autistic Adults

For some people, being assessed or supported in their own environment provides valuable information about how everyday activities actually work.

Depending on clinician location, scope and travel availability, our Occupational Therapists may provide appointments in your:

• home
• community
• workplace or education environment where appropriate

Working in your everyday environment can allow the OT to understand barriers that may not be apparent in a clinic setting.
Availability varies between clinicians and locations.

---

Telehealth Occupational Therapy for Autistic Adults

Telehealth can be a useful option for autistic adults who prefer receiving support from home or who live outside a clinician's usual travel area.
​
Depending on what you need, telehealth may be suitable for areas such as:

• discussing everyday routines
• planning and organisation strategies
• environmental problem-solving
• energy management
• reviewing strategies
• some aspects of assessment
• follow-up appointments

Not every OT service or assessment can be completed entirely by telehealth. We can discuss whether it is appropriate for what you need.
Explore Occupational Therapy by Telehealth

---

Occupational Therapy Across Perth, Rockingham & Joondalup

Belong Health has Occupational Therapists providing adult services across Rockingham, Perth and Joondalup service areas.

The exact suburbs, appointment types and services available depend on the individual clinician's location, scope and travel availability.

If you are unsure whether we have an OT who can assist in your area, contact our team or use our OT location guide.
Find an Occupational Therapist Near You

---

Do I Need an Autism Diagnosis to See an Occupational Therapist?

Not necessarily.

Occupational Therapy focuses on everyday function, participation and the activities you need or want to do.

If you are seeking private Occupational Therapy, contact us and we can discuss whether one of our clinicians may be appropriate for your needs.

Funding requirements can differ, so if you plan to use NDIS or another funding source, you should also check the requirements that apply to your individual circumstances.

If you are looking for an autism diagnostic assessment, that is a different service from Occupational Therapy.

---

Autism Assessment vs Occupational Therapy

An autism assessment and an Occupational Therapy assessment answer different questions.

An autism diagnostic assessment considers whether a person meets diagnostic criteria for autism.

An Occupational Therapy assessment looks at everyday functioning, activities, environments and support needs.

Belong Health's Psychology service provides assessments only, including autism assessments where appropriate to the clinician's scope.

Occupational Therapists do not provide an autism diagnosis through an OT assessment.
​
If you are unsure which type of assessment you need, our team can help direct your enquiry.

---

Our Approach to Autism & Occupational Therapy
We aim to provide Occupational Therapy that is:

Neurodiversity-Affirming
Autism is not something we are trying to remove from you.

Person-Centred
Your goals, priorities and preferences guide the support.

Strengths-Based
We consider strengths and existing strategies alongside areas where you want support.

Practical
Strategies need to work in everyday life, not just during an appointment.

Individualised
Two autistic adults can have very different strengths, experiences and support needs.

Focused on Autonomy
Support should help you have greater choice and control over your everyday life.

We do not consider forcing eye contact, suppressing harmless stimming, masking autistic traits or appearing "less autistic" to be appropriate therapy goals.

What Happens When You Enquire?

1. Contact Belong Health
Tell us what you are looking for and where you are located.

2. We Check Clinician Suitability
We consider location, age, the type of support or assessment required and clinician scope.

3. Free 20-Minute Meet & Greet
Where appropriate, you can meet the Occupational Therapist for a free introductory conversation.

4. Confirm the Service
Before proceeding, we can confirm relevant appointment arrangements, fees, travel and funding information.

5. Initial Appointment or Assessment
Your OT will learn more about what is important to you, your everyday activities, environment, strengths and support needs.

6. Recommendations or Ongoing Support
Depending on why you are seeing the OT, this may involve strategies, therapy, environmental changes, equipment recommendations, assessment, reports or review.

Have a question? or need more information

Our friendly team are happy to help call us on 08 9586 3934 or send us a message

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an Occupational Therapist do for autistic adults?
An Occupational Therapist can help an autistic adult identify barriers affecting everyday activities and participation. Support may involve daily living, routines, sensory needs, planning and organisation, energy management, work or study, community participation, Assistive Technology, environmental changes or functional assessment.

Is Occupational Therapy suitable for adults with autism?
It can be. Whether OT is useful depends on what you would like support with. Occupational Therapy focuses on everyday function, participation and meaningful activities rather than trying to change autistic identity.

Do you provide Occupational Therapy for adults with autism?
Yes. Belong Health provides Occupational Therapy for autistic adults aged 18-64, depending on clinician location, availability and scope.

Where do you provide Occupational Therapy for autistic adults?
Our adult Occupational Therapists provide services across Rockingham, Perth and Joondalup service areas. Exact suburbs and travel areas vary between clinicians.

Can an Occupational Therapist visit me at home?
Depending on clinician location, scope and travel availability, home and community appointments may be available.

Do you offer telehealth OT for autistic adults?
Yes, telehealth may be available where appropriate. Whether telehealth is suitable depends on the type of support or assessment you require.

Can OT help with sensory needs?
An Occupational Therapist can explore how sensory experiences affect everyday activities and environments and work with you on practical strategies or environmental adjustments.

Can OT help with routines?
Yes. OT may help develop or adapt routines so they are practical, sustainable and better suited to your everyday life.

Can OT help with planning and organisation?
OT may support areas such as task initiation, sequencing, organisation, time management, transitions, reminders and developing practical systems for everyday activities.

Can OT help with fatigue?
An OT can explore activity demands, routines, environments, pacing and energy conservation strategies where fatigue affects everyday participation.

Can Occupational Therapy help with work or study?
OT may help identify barriers affecting work or study and explore routines, environmental adjustments, organisation strategies and ways to manage the broader demands associated with participation.

Can OT help autistic adults live independently?
OT can support skills, strategies, environmental changes, equipment and supports related to everyday living. Independence does not have to mean doing everything without assistance. The appropriate level of support is individual to each person.

Can an OT complete a Functional Capacity Assessment for an autistic adult?
Yes, where the Occupational Therapist provides FCA services and the assessment is appropriate for the person's needs. Not every clinician provides every assessment type.

Can an OT recommend Assistive Technology
?Yes. Depending on clinician scope and your needs, an OT may assess and recommend Assistive Technology or adaptive equipment.

Do I need an autism diagnosis before seeing an OT?
Not necessarily. Private Occupational Therapy can focus on your functional needs without requiring an autism diagnosis. Funding programs may have their own eligibility and evidence requirements.

Can an Occupational Therapist diagnose autism?
No. Occupational Therapy assessment and autism diagnostic assessment are different services. If you are seeking an autism diagnosis, you need an appropriately qualified diagnostic professional or team.

Is your Occupational Therapy neurodiversity-affirming?
Our approach is intended to respect autistic identity, individual communication and sensory needs, autonomy, strengths and personal goals. Therapy is not aimed at making someone appear less autistic.

Will OT try to stop stimming or make me make eye contact?
We do not consider suppressing harmless stimming or forcing eye contact appropriate therapy goals. Support should focus on meaningful function, wellbeing, autonomy and participation.

Do you work with NDIS participants?
Yes. Belong Health is an NDIS registered provider and provides Occupational Therapy to NDIS participants where the service is appropriate to their plan, goals and circumstances.

Do you accept private clients?
Yes. Autistic adults can also access Occupational Therapy privately.

Can family members or support people be involved?
Yes, if you would like them involved. Your preferences should guide who participates in your appointments and planning.

What age does your adult autism OT service start?
This page relates to adults aged 18-64.

What if I am 65 or older?
Belong Health has a dedicated Occupational Therapy pathway for older adults.
Explore Occupational Therapy for Older Adults

What if I don't know what type of OT assessment I need?
Contact our team and explain what you are trying to achieve. We can help determine whether we have an appropriate Occupational Therapist and which assessment may be relevant.

How do I get started?
Contact Belong Health with your location and what you would like support with. We can check which Occupational Therapist may be suitable and, where appropriate, arrange a free 20-minute Meet & Greet.

---

Find an Occupational Therapist for Autistic Adults
If you are looking for practical, neurodiversity-affirming Occupational Therapy, our team can help determine whether we have an Occupational Therapist who suits your needs, location and preferred type of support.

📍 Rockingham • Perth • Joondalup service areas
🏡 Home & community appointments depending on clinician location and scope
💻 Telehealth where appropriate
💙 NDIS & private clients

Start With a Free 20-Minute Meet & GreetTalk with an Occupational Therapist about what you are looking for, ask questions and see whether they may be the right fit.
No obligation to proceed.

Book Your Free 20-Minute Meet & Greet

Find an Occupational Therapist Near You

---

Related Adult Autism OT Resources

• Autism Support for Adults
• Sensory Support for Autistic Adults
• Executive Function & Routines for Autistic Adults
• Autism, Daily Living & Independence for Adults
• Autism, Fatigue & Energy Management for Adults
• Autism Checklist for Adults

---

Last reviewed: September 2026

13 Littleton st, Falcon

Phone: 08 9586 3934

EMAIL US

OFFICE HOURS:         MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8:30am - 4:30pm

BELONG HEALTH'S Paediatric Occupational Therapy SERVICES FOR Perth region

A: Alexander Heights, Alfred Cove, Applecross, Applecross North, Ardross, Armadale, Ascot, Ashby, Ashfield, Attadale, Atwell, Aubin Grove, Aveley
B: Balcatta, Balga, Ballajura, Banjup, Banksia Grove, Baskerville, Bassendean, Bateman, Bayswater, Beaconsfield, Beckenham, Bedford, Bedfordale, Beechboro, Beeliar, Beldon, Belhus, Bellevue, Belmont, Bennett Springs, Bentley, Bibra Lake, Bicton, Booragoon, Boya, Brabham, Brentwood, Brigadoon, Broadway Nedlands, Brookdale, Bull Creek, Burns Beach, Burswood, Bushmead, Butler
C: Canning Vale, Cannington, Carabooda, Carine, Carlisle, Carramar, Caversham, Champion Lakes, Churchlands, City Beach, Claremont, Clarkson, Cloverdale, Cockburn Central, Como, Connolly, Coogee, Coolbellup, Coolbinia, Cottesloe, Craigie, Crawley, Currambine
D: Daglish, Dalkeith, Darch, Darlington, Dayton, Dianella, Dog Swamp, Doubleview, Duncraig
E: East Cannington, East Fremantle, East Perth, East Victoria Park, Eden Hill, Edgewater, Ellenbrook, Embleton
F: Ferndale, Floreat, Forrestdale, Forrestfield, Fremantle
G: Gidgegannup, Girrawheen, Glen Forrest, Glendalough, Glengarry, Gnangara, Gosnells, Greenmount, Greenwood, Guildford, Gwelup
H: Hamersley, Hamilton Hill, Hammond Park, Harrisdale, Haynes, Hazelmere, Heathridge, Helena Valley, Henderson, Henley Brook, Herdsman, Herne Hill, High Wycombe, Highgate, Hilbert, Hillarys, Hilton, Hocking, Hovea, Huntingdale
I: Iluka, Inglewood, Innaloo, Jandabup, Jandakot, Jane Brook, Jindalee, Jolimont, Joondalup, Joondanna
K: Kallaroo, Karawara, Kardinya, Karragullen, Karrakatta, Karrinyup, Kelmscott, Kensington, Kenwick, Kewdale, Kiara, Kings Park, Kingsley, Kingsway, Kinross, Koondoola, Koongamia
L: Landsdale, Langford, Lathlain, Leederville, Leeming, Lexia, Lockridge, Lynwood
M: Maddington, Madeley, Mahogany Creek, Maida Vale, Malaga, Manning, Marangaroo, Mariginiup, Marmion, Martin, Maylands, Melaleuca, Melville, Menora, Merriwa, Middle Swan, Midland, Midvale, Millendon, Mindarie, Mirrabooka, Morangup, Morley, Mosman Park, Mount Claremont, Mount Hawthorn, Mount Lawley, Mount Nasura, Mount Pleasant, Mount Richon, Mullaloo, Munster, Murdoch, Myaree
N: Nedlands, Neerabup, Nollamara, Noranda, North Beach, North Coogee, North Fremantle, North Lake, North Perth, Northbridge, Nowergup
O: O'connor, Ocean Reef, Orange Grove, Osborne Park
P: Padbury, Palmyra, Parkerville, Parkwood, Pearsall, Peppermint Grove, Perth, Piara Waters, Pinjar, Queens Park, Quinns Rocks
R: Red Hill, Redcliffe, Ridgewood, Riverton, Rivervale, Roleystone, Rossmoyne, Rottnest Island
S: Salter Point, Samson, Sawyers Valley, Scarborough, Seville Grove, Shelley, Shenton Park, Sinagra, Sorrento, South Fremantle, South Guildford, South Lake, South Perth, Southern River, Spearwood, St James, Stirling, Stoneville, Stratton, Subiaco, Subiaco East, Success, Swan View, Swanbourne
T: Tamala Park, Tapping, The Vines, Thornlie, Treeby, Trigg, Tuart Hill
U: Upper Swan
V: Victoria Park
W: Wangara, Wanneroo, Warwick, Waterford, Watermans Bay, Wattle Grove, Wattleup, Welshpool, Wembley, Wembley Downs, West Leederville, West Perth, West Swan, Westfield, Westminster, White Gum Valley, Whiteman, Willagee, Willetton, Wilson, Winthrop, Woodbridge, Woodlands, Woodvale, Wungong
Y: Yangebup, Yokine​