WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (OT)?

Put simply – OT helps you do the things you need or want to do! These things are called occupations because they occupy your time. A child’s main occupation is to learn and play.

OT helps people improve their ability to complete the daily activities that are important to them. You or your child may see an OT if they are having difficulty doing everyday things because of physical, cognitive, or sensory challenges such as a disability or developmental delay. OTs focus on your strengths and can assist with different areas of development including helping to build skills around:

• • • Cognitive functioning such as concentration, planning, problem-solving, and organisation.
    • Emotional regulation.
    • Fine motor skills such as drawing, cutting, and using utensils.
    • Gross motor skills such as balancing, jumping, coordination and core strength.
    • Play and Social Skills such as making friends, solving disagreements and understanding other people’s perspectives.
    • Sensory processing and regulation.

WHAT DOES AN OT ACTUALLY DO?

An OT will meet with you to discuss your or your child’s strengths, support needs, goals, and any barriers that are making it difficult to achieve those goals. This can include the OT completing assessments and observing how you or your child completes daily activities related to those goals. The OT will work together with you and may provide strategies/advice to build your or your child’s skills, try new ways of doing things, or adapting the environment to better support your needs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What if I don’t want to discuss my child’s challenges in front of them? 

You or the OT can request a parent only session which can be done in person or over phone/video call. This provides an opportunity to freely discuss any challenges or concerns you or your child may be experiencing.

How are the therapy animals used in OT sessions?

Paws on Film has a range of highly trained therapy animals to support skill-building, motivation, and engagement in OT sessions. Animals provide immediate external feedback based on our actions which in combination with strategies from the occupational therapist supports working towards your goals. This will look different for every client and will depend on your individual goals. For example, the animals could be used to:

• • • • Identify body language and link this to emotions.
      • Practice coping strategies together to regulate emotions.
      • Practice social skills such as sharing, taking turns, respect, and perspective taking (seeing a situation from another point of view and recognising that others have different thoughts, opinions, and wants from our own).
      • Build fine motor skills such as cutting food for the animals or braiding hair.
      • Build gross motor skills such as walking an animal through the obstacle course.

Can I use NDIS funding to see an OT?

Yes, if you have funding in the Capacity Building Daily Activity category and are self-managed or plan-managed. The OT can help you prepare for an NDIS planning meeting or review.

Do I need to provide an NDIS plan or other documentation to the OT?
It is helpful to receive a copy of your NDIS goals and any recent reports or diagnostic assessments so the OT can better understand your or your child’s strengths and challenges. It is important that the OT can work together with you and any other therapists or health professionals supporting you or your child.

What information is in an OT assessment or report?

An OT report can include information and recommendations about your:

• • • • Life history/living situation.
      • Daily functioning and independence across all areas.
      • Usual routine/activities.
      • Current supports.
      • Strengths and skills.
      • Goals and interests.
      • Progress made towards your goals as well as barriers.
      • Future or required supports (including NDIS-funded supports).
      • A therapy plan to help you learn new strategies and build your skills to achieve your goals.