Sensory assessment
A detailed look at sensory preferences and sensitivities, using questionnaires, observation and conversation, with a clear sensory plan.
Occupational therapy for autism in Newcastle
Neurodiversity-affirming occupational therapy for autistic children, young people and adults across Newcastle and the North East, focused on sensory comfort, regulation, self-care and making school, work and home life more manageable.
- Children and adults
- Sensory and regulation focus
- Diagnosis not required
- Home, school and work visits
Request a quote
Tell us a little about what you need and we will be in touch to discuss the next steps.
How autism can affect everyday life
Autistic people often process sensory information differently. A noisy classroom, a scratchy school jumper, bright office lighting or a busy supermarket can be uncomfortable or overwhelming, and the effort of coping can leave little energy for anything else. Many families describe mornings that fall apart over clothing, meals limited to a handful of foods, or a child who holds it together at school and then has a meltdown at home.
For adults, the pressures look different but are just as real: open-plan offices, unpredictable workloads, the demands of running a home and the exhaustion that comes from masking. At Private Occupational Therapy, occupational therapy for autism starts by looking at where daily life is getting harder and what in the environment, routine or task could change to make it more manageable.
What we offer
What autism occupational therapy includes
Private Occupational Therapy offers assessment, therapy and practical recommendations for autistic people of all ages, at home, in school or at work.
Regulation strategies
Ways to spot early signs of overload and recover from it, including calming spaces, movement and planned breaks.
Self-care and daily living
Practical help with dressing, washing, toileting, eating, sleep and, for older teens and adults, cooking and household routines.
School, college and work
Recommendations for classrooms and workplaces, from seating and lighting to timetables and quiet areas.
Who it's for
Support for autistic children, teenagers and adults
Private Occupational Therapy works with autistic people at every stage of life, with or without a formal diagnosis.
Younger children are usually seen through our paediatric occupational therapy service, often at home and nursery or school. Teenagers may want help with independence, exam stress or the move to college. Adults, including those diagnosed later in life, often come to us with burnout, sensory overload at work or difficulty keeping up with daily tasks, and our adult occupational therapy service covers this work.
Common reasons people get in touch
- Sensory overload and meltdowns
- Restricted eating or mealtime stress
- Dressing, toileting and hygiene
- Sleep and bedtime routines
- Difficulty with transitions and change
- Coping at school or in the workplace
A neurodiversity-affirming approach to therapy
Therapy aims to make life more comfortable, never to make someone appear less autistic. That means respecting stimming, special interests and different ways of communicating, and setting goals with the autistic person wherever possible rather than for them. Success is judged by wellbeing, comfort and independence, not by how well someone fits in.
Sensory needs and regulation
A sensory assessment shows which sensations someone seeks out and which they find hard to tolerate. From there, the therapist builds a sensory plan: changes to the environment, tools such as ear defenders or weighted items where they help, and activities built into the day. For children whose sensory needs are central, sensory integration therapy may be recommended.
Self-care, eating and sleep
Self-care tasks are broken into manageable steps, with visual supports and adjustments to clothing, products or routines. Eating and sleep are approached gently, starting from what feels safe and building slowly.
School, work and home support across the North East
Much of the value of occupational therapy for autism comes from changing the places where someone spends their day. With your agreement, the therapist can visit nursery or school, talk with the SENCO and suggest practical adjustments such as a quieter workspace, movement breaks or a plan for busy times like assemblies and lunch. Where a child needs more support than the school can usually provide, an EHCP and school assessment report can set out their needs in detail.
For adults, workplace recommendations can support requests for reasonable adjustments and applications to Access to Work. Our return to work service can help if someone has been off sick or is struggling to stay in a job.
Reports and recommendations
Every Private Occupational Therapy assessment leads to a written report in plain English, with clear recommendations that families, schools, employers and other professionals can act on. Reports describe the person's sensory profile and strengths as well as their difficulties, so the people supporting them understand what helps and why.
Getting started
How to start occupational therapy for autism in Newcastle
Appointments take place at home, school, work or by video across Newcastle, Gateshead, the Tyneside boroughs, Sunderland, Northumberland and County Durham. See fees and funding for how sessions can be paid for.
Enquiry
Send a few details about what is difficult and what you would like to change.
Initial conversation
We talk through your situation, confirm whether occupational therapy is a good fit and provide a quote.
Assessment and report
A visit at home, school or work, followed by a written report with recommendations.
Therapy and reviews
Sessions focused on agreed goals, with regular reviews to check what is working.
FAQs
Autism occupational therapy questions
Do we need an autism diagnosis to get help?
No. Support is based on the everyday difficulties you or your child are experiencing, so you can start while on a waiting list or without seeking a diagnosis at all.
Is occupational therapy an autism assessment?
No. Occupational therapists do not diagnose autism, but an OT report on sensory processing, motor skills and daily living can be shared with the team carrying out a diagnostic assessment.
Do you work with autistic adults?
Yes. Adults often want help with sensory overload, burnout, routines, household tasks or workplace adjustments, and support can take place at home, at work or by video.
Can you help with ADHD as well as autism?
Yes. Autism and ADHD often occur together, and assessment considers both. Read more about occupational therapy for ADHD.
How many sessions will we need?
It depends on your goals. Some families need an assessment and report with a few follow-up visits, while others choose a longer block of therapy. This is agreed with you before any work begins.
Talk to us about autism support
Tell us a little about the person you are enquiring for and the difficulties they face, and we will reply by email with next steps and a quote.