WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (OT)?
Occupational Therapy (OT) supports people to participate in the activities that are important and meaningful to them in everyday life.
Autistic people may experience differences with sensory processing, motor skills, emotional regulation, daily living skills or changes in routines. OT can provide practical strategies and support to make everyday activities easier.
Finding an OT who understands autism can make a real difference.
At Autism Abilities, we focus on each person’s individual strengths, needs and goals, supporting greater independence, participation and quality of life.
WHAT CAN YOUR OT DO?
Your OT will observe your interactions across your whole environment, including family, school or work, leisure, play, etc. A thorough evaluation is performed to assess fine and gross motor skills, perceptual, communication and interaction skills, routines, and habits.
Parents/carers are involved in the assessment process through interviews and standardised questionnaires. And from here a therapy plan can be formulated.
OTs can do a whole range of things using a whole range of approaches, for example:
- develop strategies to modify tasks and/or environments to make them more accessible
- help to establish & maintain daily routines
- minimise stress relating to individual sensory experience
- focus on self-care, feeding, or sleep problems
- work with school or work on adaptations to facilitate participation in these settings
- support your teacher/school to understand the impact sensory processing difficulties can have on daily functioning
- general skill building to help with starting and completing tasks
- conduct risk assessments of environments, providing recommendations for modifications
In short, OTs provide a key role within a multidisciplinary team. They can provide strategies and adaptations to assist you to participate in daily activities.
Autism Abilities has a strengths-based, neurodivergent-affirming approach with individualised therapy plans that are constantly evaluated to ensure their efficiency and relevance.
HOW TO ACCESS SUPPORT?
Funding for Occupational Therapy is listed as 'Improved Daily Living' (CB Daily) in your NDIS plan.
Autism Abilities is an NDIS-registered service; therefore we can provide support to agency-, plan-, and/or self-managed NDIS participants.
The current hourly rate for OT is $193.99 per hour.
This is in accordance with current NDIS pricing arrangements (as of 1 July 2024). Travel costs will be applied for home- or community-based appointments.