J.A Therapy

It really is 🩷

Female presentation autism is often missed.
Not because it’s mild — but because it’s masked, internalised, and misunderstood.

This visual in A Child’s Voice Series has been devised to reflect how autism often shows up in girls: through anxiety, perfectionism, people-pleasing, shutdowns, and working very hard to appear 'fine'. These children are frequently described as quiet, sensitive, mature, or simply anxious — while their needs remain unseen.

While this is a predominantly female presentation, it’s important to say this clearly: some boys present this way too. That’s why the free download includes a boy version as well — because neurology doesn’t follow stereotypes.

You’ll also notice two wording options in the download:
“I Have Autism” and “I Am Autistic.”
Both are included intentionally, to respect personal identity preference — not to invite debate. Children and families get to choose the language that feels right for them.

How to get the free download:
Follow the instructions on the visual and comment with the requested word. The link will be sent automatically.

If this resonates, save it. Share it. And consider how many children are being seen as 'just anxious' when there’s much more going on underneath.

Once we identify where the breakdown is happening in encoding, the next question becomes:

How do we respond instructionally?

Because not all spelling difficulties need the same support.

A student may struggle with:
• segmenting
• letter–sound automaticity
• letter-writing fluency
• or transfer into encoding

Any of these breakdowns can lead to spelling errors—but for very different reasons.

And that means the support should look different, too.

Over the next few posts, I’m going to break down:
👉 what each profile can look like
👉 what may be contributing to the difficulty
👉 and some ways we can support students more precisely.

We work on handwriting in OT because it's a main occupation of the school day. But sometimes we need specific tips for left-handed writers. Here are some strategies to help with functional grasp and handwriting: https://www.theottoolbox.com/left-handed-writing-tips

These are great ideas for improving handwriting. We love simple handwriting games, too: https://www.theottoolbox.com/handwriting-games/

Sometimes a child with ADHD is trying twice as hard just to get through an ordinary day. What looks like distraction, forgetfulness, or impulsivity is often a brain working differently, not a child choosing to be difficult.

This “voice of the child” visual is a gentle reminder of what many young people with combined-type ADHD wish adults understood. When we shift from blame to curiosity, children feel safer, more capable, and more motivated to try.

If this resonates, save it for later and share it with someone who supports a child with ADHD. Which line feels most true for your child right now?

See visual for free download instructions.

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What Is a Sensory Corner?

A sensory corner is a small, predictable space designed to support regulation, emotional control, focus, and participation in daily activities.

It does not need to be expensive or take up an entire room.

Include Calming Supports
Bean bag or floor cushion
Soft blanket or weighted lap pad
Noise-reducing headphones
Dim lighting or string lights
Calm sensory visuals

These supports help reduce sensory overload and promote regulation.

Add Heavy Work Options

Proprioceptive input is often organizing for the nervous system.

Try:

Therapy putty
Resistance bands
Wall push-ups
Weighted stuffed animals
Pushing or pulling activities
Keep the Space Simple

Too much visual clutter can increase dysregulation.

Helpful tips:

Limit toys and distractions
Use neutral or calming colors
Organize materials in bins or baskets
Rotate sensory tools as needed
Make It Functional

A sensory corner should support participation in meaningful activities such as:

Homework
Reading
Emotional regulation
Transitions
Quiet breaks
Self-care routines

Sensory supports are tools to help the child access daily occupations.

OT Tip

Observe which sensory tools actually improve participation.
If a strategy does not help the child engage more successfully, adjust the environment or sensory supports.

We've pulled together a great resource on all things sensory rooms. This covers rules, guidelines, protocols, and much more! https://www.theottoolbox.com/sensory-room-rules-protocols-and-guidelines/