Virtual Occupational Therapy: Bridging Gaps for Neurodivergent Adults

For many neurodivergent adults, accessing therapy can feel out of reach. Traditional models of care often require in-person visits, rigid schedules, and navigating environments that may not be sensory-friendly. At Diverge Community Services, we believe therapy should be designed around people, not the other way around. That’s where virtual occupational therapy comes in.

Why Access Matters

Neurodivergent adults frequently face barriers to receiving therapy: limited providers with relevant expertise, long waitlists, transportation difficulties, or clinic environments that don’t meet sensory or accessibility needs. Even when services are available, they may not be affirming of neurodivergent identities or tailored to the lived experiences neurodivergent folx.

Virtual therapy helps remove these barriers. By connecting through our secure online platform, adults can access skilled occupational therapists in environments where they feel safe and supported. This model expands access to care, whether someone lives in a rural community, has limited transportation, or simply feels more comfortable receiving support from home.

What Virtual OT Can Support

Occupational therapy is about more than motor skills or rehabilitation, it’s about engaging meaningfully in daily life. For neurodivergent adults, this often includes:

• Executive functioning: support with planning, organization, time management, and follow-through.

• Sensory processing: identifying strategies to reduce overwhelm and increase regulation in everyday environments.

• Independent living skills: building systems for cooking, budgeting, transportation, and home management.

• Work and school participation: exploring accommodations, energy management, and strategies for balancing multiple roles.

• Community engagement: supporting social connection, advocacy, and meaningful routines.

These areas are highly individualized, and a virtual format allows clients to practice and problem-solve directly within their own homes and routines.

How Virtual Sessions Work

At Diverge, our virtual sessions are interactive and collaborative. We use video platforms that allow for real-time communication, visual aids, and screen-sharing. We also provide resources between sessions (checklists, reflection tools, and personalized strategies) so that support doesn’t end when the call does.

Sessions may include guided practice in real environments (like organizing a workspace or planning meals), co-regulation during moments of frustration, or brainstorming creative strategies together. The focus is always on what feels meaningful and sustainable to the individual.

Diverge’s Commitment to Accessibility

Accessibility isn’t just a buzzword for us, it’s a guiding principle. We know that true accessibility means meeting people where they are, honoring neurodivergent experiences, and reducing unnecessary barriers. Here’s how we commit to that:

• Private pay flexibility: We recognize that insurance doesn’t always mean access. We work to keep our private pay options transparent and flexible, while offering income-based sliding scales. Superbills and limited insurance billing provide further access.

• Multi-state licensure: Our therapists are licensed in multiple states, allowing us to expand access to regions where neurodivergent-affirming OT may be scarce.

• Affirming approach: Every aspect of our care is rooted in neurodiversity-affirming practices, honoring differences, not pathologizing them.

Virtual occupational therapy is not a second-best option; it is a powerful tool for bridging gaps in access, offering flexibility, and centering care around the lives of neurodivergent adults. At Diverge, we are committed to building therapy services that reflect real needs and provide sustainable support.

If you or someone you love is exploring occupational therapy, know that accessible, affirming options exist, even from the comfort of your own home.