Supporting Autonomy in Apraxia: Rethinking Independence
By Jessica Jordan, MS, OTR/L
When we think about supporting autistic individuals with apraxia, the conversation often turns toward independence. But for many apraxic people, full independence isn’t always the most helpful—or realistic—goal.
Motor challenges, especially those involving initiation, sustaining, or stopping movement, can make daily tasks feel inconsistent or unpredictable. Some days, the body cooperates. Other days, it doesn’t. That doesn’t mean someone is less capable—it just means their motor system works differently.
So instead of focusing only on independence, we look at autonomy: supporting someone to have as much control as possible in their day-to-day life, even if that includes help from others. Autonomy might look like choosing when to take a break, having a say in routines that feel good to their body, or working with a communication partner who understands their motor needs and supports their timing.
Independence vs. Interdependence: A Delicate Balance
While many therapies aim to support independence, it’s important to remember: independence doesn’t mean doing everything alone. For autistic apraxic individuals, the path to autonomy is often one that involves strong support systems. That’s where interdependence becomes essential.
Independence typically refers to someone being able to complete tasks without help. It’s a meaningful goal in areas like daily routines or self-care. But when cognitive motor control is involved, full independence might not be the immediate—or even most meaningful—goal.
Interdependence means recognizing that we all rely on one another. It centers on collaboration, co-regulation, and shared problem-solving. Interdependence doesn’t lessen someone’s value. In fact, it honors the reality that autonomy often grows stronger when we’re supported by others who understand our needs.
One autistic author we deeply admire shared this reflection:
“I guess most of my life, I puzzled over how someone like me could be seen as worthwhile. I felt like the world was hurtling toward some undefined and narrow goal of more production and competition. I knew that I had a different idea of what society could be beyond production and consumption. But I also felt so crushed from years of being underestimated, bullied, and misunderstood. I didn’t have the confidence to dare that interdependence could be a reality—that my life was valid. As I have found more confidence, I’ve grown to reassure my understanding that interdependence is real and that embracing interdependence is the path to a better world for all.”
— @dannywithwords
More poems, reflections, and conversations from dannywithwords can be found here.
Bridging the Gap: Supporting Both
As occupational therapists, our role isn’t just about helping individuals do things on their own. It’s about creating space for growth, with the right supports in place. When we focus on both independence and interdependence, we honor the full experience of apraxic individuals—who may need varying levels of support depending on the day, the task, or their current regulation.
Here are a few examples of how we support both in practice:
Strategies for Supporting Both:
Collaborative Goal Setting: Work with the individual to set achievable goals that emphasize both independent skills (e.g., dressing, feeding) and those that require assistance (e.g., complex cooking tasks). This allows for a balance of self-sufficiency and collaborative effort.
Social Engagement: Foster social connections where interdependence is valued. Encourage activities that require teamwork, such as group exercises or social play, to highlight the power of collaboration.
Scaffolded Support: Provide scaffolded support through prompts or assistive technology to help individuals with apraxia complete tasks independently while still maintaining access to help when necessary.
Conclusion
By embracing both independence and interdependence, we help build a world where individuals feel empowered not just by what they can do alone, but also by the connections they cultivate with others.
Helpful Links
If you found this post helpful, you’ll love our therapy resources! Whether you’re a parent or therapist, our apraxia and autism courses are here to offer practical tools, compassionate guidance, and real-world strategies you can use every day.
👨👩👧👦 For Parents & Caregivers: Autism Training | Online Course for Parents and Caregivers
🧑🏫 For Therapists: Therapist Course for Apraxia and Autism | Mentorship for OTs and Therapists
🏥 Work With Us: In-Person Occupational Therapy (San Diego & Long Beach Areas) | Virtual Coaching
