Different skills are required at different stages of a person’s life. An Occupational Therapist considers how the person’s underlying disability may be impacting on their skills, relationships, and interactions with their environment. Occupational Therapy focuses on aiding skill development and implementing strategies that support an individual in all the environments that they encounter.
After an initial assessment, your Occupational Therapist will help you to set individualised goals, and then develop a program based on your personal needs in collaboration with you, your family and your support network (where appropriate).
To learn more about Occupational Therapy visit the Occupational Therapy Australia website here.
Sensory Processing is the process of taking in information from the world around us through our senses and interpreting and organising this information. Everyone has 7 different senses that we consistently receive input from in order to gain information about our bodies and the surrounding environment. These are:
Individuals on the Autism Spectrum can often experience differences in the way that their brain and body processes sensory information, which can impact their engagement in various activities and environments. Our Occupational Therapists can assess a person’s individual sensory processing and the impact that this has on their daily life. With this information, our therapists will trial and recommend sensory strategies and support to maximise your independence and engagement in daily activities, routines and environments.
Some basic tips on supporting skill development and performance with people on the autism spectrum:
Our Occupational Therapy Team can support people of all ages who require skill development and support in the following areas:
Autism SA runs a number of group intervention programs including:
If you wish to express an interest in attending one of our groups, you’re welcome contact our Pathways Consultants via email mypathways@autismsa.org.au or phone 1300 288 476, and they can help you get started.
Aquatic Therapy is a 1:1 individualised occupational therapy session held in a heated pool, in a community setting. Aquatic Therapy supports participants to develop skills in a range of areas, including but not limited to:
• Gross motor skills;
• Fine motor skills;
• Social skills;
• Community participation;
• Water safety;
• Sensory and emotional regulation;
• Following instructions; and
• Transitioning skills.
More information on our Aquatic Therapy program can be found here.
If you’d like to register your interest in attending Aquatic Therapy, please fill out the registration of interest form here and one of our team will be in touch with you soon.
Our Occupational Therapy services can be accessed through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or can be purchased as a fee-for-service.
Occupational Therapy Services can be provided in our clinics (based at Elizabeth and Netley), at home, at school and in community settings. We are also able to offer our Occupational Therapy sessions as Face to Face and/or online Telehealth sessions.
For more information on Occupational Therapy, please contact our Pathways Team on Phone: 8379 6976 or Email mypathways@autismsa.org.au