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Occupational Therapy

What is it?
 
Occupational therapists focus on promoting health and well-being by enabling people to participate in the everyday occupations of life, such as self-care activities including showering, dressing, preparing food; productive activities such as education, work, volunteering and caring for others; and leisure/social activities, such as being part of a community group, engaging in a hobby, and being part of a friendship group. Occupational therapists play a particularly crucial role in enabling people experiencing disability to identify and implement methods that support their participation in occupations. This may include modifying an activity or an environment.

Seniors

  • Assess your current abilities and help you develop plans to maintain independence at home

  • Help prevent falls by reviewing your home for hazards and helping you improve your ability to safely perform everyday tasks

  • Provide assistive technology that makes living at home easier, such as shower rails, wheelchairs, pressure care mattresses and other aids

  • Improve the way you move and function by prescribing adaptive strategies (e.g. teaching you joint protection techniques)

  • Plan for your discharge from hospital if you are admitted for illness or injury

  • Suggest strategies to help you maintain a meaningful daily routine

  • Modify your living environment so you can live safely at home while enjoying quality of life (e.g. improving accessibility)

  • Conduct driving assessments to assess your ability to drive safely, independently and legally

Disability

  • Provide assistive technology, aids and equipment to help you live more comfortably and perform daily tasks

  • Assess your living environment and recommend changes to make life easier (e.g. installing ramps, providing non-slip options on flooring, adapting bathroom or kitchen layouts)

  • Organise vehicle modifications or other transport assistance you may need

  • Help with daily living or personal care activities, such as showering, grooming, toileting and eating

  • Assess your housing situation (e.g. for people who may require Specialist Disability Accommodation)

  • Help manage sensory inputs in your environment so you feel calm and settled

  • Provide support with accessing community activities and groups

  • Support multi-step activities such as budgeting, planning your schedule and shopping

Mental Health

  • Help develop coping strategies for those living with mental health issues

  • Provide support and strategies for dealing with stress and emotions

  • Develop communication skills

  • Provide help with structuring daily life and connecting with the community

  • Suggest ways to engage in activities that you find meaningful

  • Help you use familiar activities as coping mechanisms (e.g. cooking, listening to music)

  • Addressing your sensory needs (e.g. prescribing deep pressure touch to feel calm and grounded)

  • Increasing productivity and capacity through graded tasks and activities

Children

  • Support children living with disabilities such as Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy or spina bifida

  • Work with children who are experiencing development delays

  • Provide therapy for sensory disorder or attention issues, centred around play and learning

  • Help with hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills

  • Educate parents and carers on how to help children develop

  • Provide support with cognition, memory and planning

  • Build self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment

  • Help children master basic life skills such as getting dressed, brushing teeth, having a bath, feeding themselves

Rehabilitation

  • Work with people after they have experienced an injury or illness, so they can regain independence in everyday life

  • Plan and support your re-entry into the work force

  • Help those who have had a stroke to overcome difficulties and limitations – for example, an OT may prescribe activities to practice or suggest new ways of doing things

  • Set goals that can be broken down into smaller, more manageable tasks

Locations

To make a booking or to locate a Physiotherapist please see the locations below or utilize the chat box at the bottom right of the screen.
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