Understanding autism: how OT and physio can help

By Helen (OT) & Sam (Physio) · Three Therapy

If your child has recently been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) — or you're somewhere in the process of finding out — it's completely normal to have more questions than answers about what kind of support actually helps. This is a plain-English look at what autism is, and specifically where occupational therapy and physiotherapy fit into the picture.

What autism actually is

Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference, not an illness — neurodivergent brains process the world, communicate, and experience sensory input differently to neurotypical brains. It's lifelong, shows up differently in every individual, and includes genuine strengths alongside genuine challenges. The goal of good therapy isn't to make a neurodivergent child seem more neurotypical — it's to build skills and reduce distress in the specific areas where your child is finding things hard, while working with their strengths rather than against them.

Why movement and sensory processing matter so much

Two things come up again and again for neurodivergent kids on the autism spectrum, and they're closely linked: differences in how sensory information is processed (sounds, textures, movement, body awareness), and differences in motor coordination and motor planning — sometimes called praxis. Neither of these is universal to every child, but both are common enough that they're often where the most practical, everyday support can be built.

Why the two disciplines together, not just one

Sensory processing and motor skills aren't separate systems in real life. A child who finds it hard to process input from their own body (proprioception and vestibular sense) will often also find new movements harder to learn — and a child who avoids physical play for sensory reasons misses out on exactly the practice that builds coordination. This is the practical reason Three Therapy pairs both disciplines: when it's genuinely useful for your child, Helen and Sam align goals and compare notes, even though sessions themselves happen separately.

What a first appointment actually looks like

There's no test to pass and nothing to prepare. A first session is mostly about watching your child in their own environment — home, or wherever makes sense — and talking with you about what's actually hard in daily life right now. From there we build a plan around real goals: an easier morning routine, more confidence on the playground, less distress at the shops. Progress is tracked against those goals, not against a generic milestone chart.