FAQ

Occupational Therapists (OTs) have extensive training in human development, psychology and physiology, to understand how the body and mind work. OTs strongly believe that humans are occupational beings, who need to be engaged in meaningful activities to develop, grow and thrive. OTs are highly trained in observational and analytical skills, and are thus able to promote specific goals and skills within normal, everyday activities.

In paediatrics, OTs have a unique contribution to make in assisting children and their carers to achieve their potential. OTs can offer advice on normal child development and how to promote the develop of age appropriate skills. OTs are able to offer advice on activity and environmental modifications to promote skill development and grade activities to offer the right challenge to promote skill development within every day activities.

We complete a thorough needs assessment for the child and his/her family initially, to help identify areas of need. We then liaise closely with the child’s existing educators, caretakers, parents and health professionals involved in their care to gain a clear picture of the child’s current needs, as well as previous services received.

In liaison with the parents and key stakeholders, we then set specific goals to achieve, based on needs assessed. These needs may be addressed through

• school or home visits,
• observations of the child within their educational environment,
• capacity building sessions for parents and educators,
• home programs,
• Meetings with educators/carers and parents.

We use flexible service delivery models to achieve the goals set out by family and key stakeholders.

Once goals are set and strategies are implemented, your child’s and family’s progress will be monitored on a regular basis to ensure goals and needs are being met. Once these goals are met, we will discuss discharge planning from our program and future strategies to implement.

It is hard to judge exactly how long this process will take. As we work on a consultative basis, we may initially need more frequent or intense involvement to set up your goals and treatment plan. However, once established, it is up to the family and individual how much support they wish to access in order to meet those goals.