The Other Autism What Can Occupational Therapy Do for Autistic Adults? An Interview With Courtney Benner
Jul 27, 2023
Courtney Benner, a neurodivergent occupational therapist from Utah, delves into the transformative power of occupational therapy for autistic adults. She shares her personal journey with diagnoses and how they shaped her approach to therapy. Fascinating insights include statistics on autistic sleep patterns and the application of the Zones of Regulation for emotional awareness. Courtney also addresses challenges in autism assessment and emphasizes the importance of self-regulation and executive functioning in improving quality of life. Her unique perspective fosters empathy and understanding within the neurodivergent community.
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Courtney's Diagnosis Journey
- Courtney Benner was diagnosed with anxiety at 22 and ADHD at 28 after struggling with overwhelming grad school stress and parenting pressures.
- Medication and diagnosis greatly improved her quality of life and work performance as an occupational therapist.
Hobbies as Coping Skills
- Hobbies are a highly underutilized coping skill for stress management and boosting creativity.
- Occupational therapists can help autistic adults discover enjoyable hobbies to improve well-being.
Sleep Challenges in Autism
- Autistic individuals take longer to fall asleep and spend less time in REM sleep, affecting learning and memory.
- Poor sleep can lead to physical health issues and diminished cognitive performance.
