Therapy

Occupational Therapists

Occupational Therapists assess a person's ability to participate in daily living activities. They develop programs to enhance functioning in the following areas:

• Personal care eg eating, toileting, showering/bathing and dressing
• Domestic tasks
• Vocational skills eg school tasks such as writing and fine motor skills
• Accessing the community
• Leisure and play activities
• Splinting
• Wheelchair/Seating options

Occupational Therapists from Therapy ACT work with children who have a developmental disability. They also work with their families, carers and teachers. A consultative service is provided, which aims to enhance a person's level of independent functioning at home, school, work or leisure.

They work within a multidisciplinary team and referral to other team members is an important aspect of service provision.

Occupational Therapists can assess the environments of home, school and the community, for layout and safety. Appropriate modifications can be recommended eg ramps and rails.

Physiotherapists

The following areas are addressed by the Physiotherapist:

• Mobility
• General Gross Motor skills
• Wheelchair seating options
• Equipment/Walking Aids
• Splinting
• Liaison with health professionals and other agencies

Physiotherapists from Therapy ACT work with children who have an intellectual and/or physical disability. They also work with their families, carers and teachers.

They provide specialised assessment and treatment for people who have difficulty with mobility. They design and provide programs to address their mobility needs and give advice concerning aids and equipment.

They work in the homes of clients, group houses, schools, child care centres and other community settings.

Speech Pathologists

Speech Pathologists from Therapy ACT work with children who have a developmental disability, their families and carers. Their duties include:

• Assessment of the Speech/Language needs of individual clients
• Development of programs to meet those needs
• Assisting families, teachers and caregivers to implement programs
• Working as a member of the multi-disciplinary Disability Program team
• Liaising with other service providers to promote a holistic approach
• Working in a variety of settings including the family home, special school, community program and mainstream school

They design and provide programs to enhance communication skills. When appropriate an augmented or alternative communication system may be suggested. The system may involve real objects, photographs, line drawings (Boardmaker icons), the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) or signing.

If the child has difficulties with chewing or swallowing, recommendations are made to encourage skill development, safe positioning for swallowing and texture modification of food and drinks. An oral skills program might be recommended and such groups are often run in the classroom.

The Speech Pathologist can provide training for teachers and parents.

A referral for therapy services can be made by parents or teachers in consultation (and written permission) from parents.