Supporting Autistic Tamariki Through Occupational Therapy: Aria’s Story
Today, we’re sharing the story of Aria, a bright and thoughtful eight-year-old whose journey reflects the heart of occupational therapy — working in partnership with tamariki and their whānau to create meaningful, lasting change, one step at a time.
When life feels like survival mode…
When Aria first came to occupational therapy, her whānau described feeling stuck in survival mode. Every day revolved around managing meltdowns, avoiding triggers, and bracing for the next storm.
Aria, who is autistic, found it hard to manage sensory overwhelm in busy classrooms and community spaces. Transitions were particularly tough, and even small changes could send her nervous system into overdrive.
Her parents shared that school drop-offs were unpredictable and emotionally draining. Despite everyone’s best efforts, Aria’s world was shrinking — shorter school days, limited participation, and a home environment running on constant alert.
Underneath all that, though, was a deeply creative, empathetic girl with a big imagination — a child who simply needed the world to meet her where she was.
A holistic, whānau-centred approach
Our work with Aria began by understanding her sensory profile — how her body and brain responded to sound, touch, movement, and visual input. We used playful, relationship-based observation and activities to help her feel safe and confident while uncovering what supported her regulation.
Together with her whānau, we built a plan centred around mauri tau — that sense of inner calm and balance.
Through regular sessions, we focused on both regulation and skill development, strengthening the foundation skills Aria needed to participate more fully in her day:
Postural control and core stability to help her sit upright and comfortable during class activities.
Fine motor strength and dexterity for dressing, managing zips, lunchbox packaging, and independent toileting.
Handwriting readiness and endurance, building strength and control in her hands to support longer tasks.
Sustained attention and task focus, using sensory-motor strategies to help her stay engaged for longer.
Body awareness and interoception, recognising when she felt tired, hungry, or dysregulated — and learning what to do next.
At the same time, we worked closely with her parents through practical, strengths-based coaching — learning how to read early cues, create sensory-friendly routines, and embed regulation tools into everyday moments.
Returning to school — carefully, and successfully
One of the whānau’s biggest goals was helping Aria return to full-time school. To do this, we collaborated with her kaiako (teacher) and learning support team to create a graded re-entry plan.
We focused on increasing Aria’s capacity while reducing environmental stressors — carefully balancing exposure and recovery so her nervous system could adapt at a sustainable pace.
Small but intentional changes made a big difference:
Predictable visual routines.
Access to a quiet “chill space” for sensory breaks.
Adjusted seating and desk setup for better postural support.
Reduced noise levels and flexible expectations for written work.
As Aria’s confidence, strength, and self-regulation grew, we gradually extended her time in the classroom. Each success built upon the last — and, most importantly, each change was guided by her readiness, not by pressure.
What changed for Aria and her whānau
Over time, Aria began to recognise her body cues and communicate what she needed. She developed a stronger sense of agency and could re-regulate more quickly after moments of stress.
At home, mornings became calmer, and the whānau began venturing out together again — with more laughter and far less tension.
Her mum shared:
“Before OT, we were constantly firefighting. Everything felt out of control, and we were all on edge. Now we understand what’s happening for Aria — we can see the signs earlier, and we know what to do. She’s happier, we’re calmer, and our whānau feels stronger. OT has truly changed our lives.”
Why this matters:
Occupational therapy isn’t about changing who a child is — it’s about helping the world fit them better.
By addressing the underlying skills that make daily life hard — from postural stability and sensory processing to fine motor control and emotional regulation — and by empowering whānau with tools and understanding, we can move children out of survival mode and into thriving.
When therapy honours each child’s sensory world, strengths, and wairua, progress becomes sustainable — not just for the child, but for the whole whānau.
If you’d like to learn more about how occupational therapy can support your tamaiti or whānau, please get in touch.