What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy is a holistic healthcare service that focuses on helping individuals of all ages achieve a better quality of life by maximising their ability to engage in meaningful daily activities or “occupations.” These occupations encompass a wide range of activities, from basic self-care tasks like dressing and eating to more complex activities such as work, leisure, and participation in the community.
Occupational therapists, often referred to as OTs, work with clients to address various physical, cognitive, emotional, and environmental challenges that may hinder their ability to participate fully in life. Occupational therapists focus on enhancing functional independence and improving overall well-being, rather than just treating specific diseases or injuries.
At Butter Fish Services, our OTs will help you achieve independence in your daily life. We view our client’s holistically whilst considering their personal circumstances, their goals as well as their environments and others around them. We assess your specific needs, considering your unique strengths, weaknesses, and goals. We then design personalised interventions to help you regain or develop the skills necessary for independent living and active participation in society.
Occupational therapy can benefit a wide range of people, including children with developmental delays, adults recovering from injuries or surgeries, individuals with mental health issues, and seniors seeking to maintain their independence as they age.
What does an occupational therapist do?
Occupational therapists work with individuals who may be experiencing physical, cognitive, developmental, or emotional challenges that hinder their ability to engage in daily activities.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of what our occupational therapists do:
- Assessment: We begin by thoroughly assessing your needs. They will review your medical history and observe you as you perform various tasks to evaluate your abilities and barriers. This comprehensive assessment extends to your living environment, school, and workplace, where the therapist assesses accessibility and safety.
- Customised Interventions: Based on the assessment, we develop individualised therapy plans. These plans include a variety of activities and exercises designed to improve motor skills, cognitive function, self-care abilities, and adaptive techniques. The therapist tailors these interventions to address your specific challenges and goals.
- Goal Setting: Working in collaboration with you, we will establish specific goals for therapy. These goals are rooted in your unique needs, abilities, and limits, ensuring that the therapy is highly personalised and effective.
- Teaching New Techniques: We are dedicated to teaching you new ways to perform daily tasks. This includes activities like getting dressed, eating, showering, and working. They provide guidance and support to help you regain or develop the skills necessary for independent living. This hands-on approach empowers you to navigate daily life more effectively.
- Assistive Devices: In addition to teaching new techniques, we can recommend and train you to use specialised equipment and assistive devices. These may include items like raised toilet seats, leg braces, or wheelchairs. The therapist will demonstrate how to use these tools effectively, enhancing your independence and overall quality of life.
What are some of the examples of occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy can help people in a variety of ways that may not be immediately obvious. For example, OT can be used to help people with:
- Home modifications: Occupational therapists can assess a person’s home environment and recommend modifications to make it safer and more accessible.
- Driving assessments: Occupational therapists can assess a person’s driving skills and make recommendations for modifications to their vehicle or driving habits.
- Wheelchair and seating assessments: Occupational therapists can assess a person’s needs for a wheelchair or other seating device and make recommendations for the most appropriate equipment.
- Pain management: Occupational therapists can teach people with pain management strategies to help them cope with pain and participate in daily activities.
- Mental health support: Occupational therapists can provide support to people with mental health conditions to help them participate in daily activities and achieve their goals.
Occupational therapists in Australia work in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, schools, clinics, workplaces, and community settings. They work with people of all ages, from infants to older adults.
Where do our Occupational Therapists work?
Occupational therapists in Australia work in a wide range of settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Clinics
- Workplaces
- Community settings
- Aged care facilities
- Mental health facilities
- Disability support services
- Private practices
At Butter Fish Services, we are available for home visits, online therapy sessions, and in-person sessions at our clinics.
How can I find an occupational therapist?
There are a number of ways to find an occupational therapist in Australia:
- Ask your doctor or other healthcare professional for a referral.
- Contact your local hospital or clinic.
- Search the Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) directory.
- Contact your local council or disability support service.
Butter Fish Services have immediate availability for Functional Capacity OT Assessments. For fast and easy access to an OT with no wait times, make a referral with Butter Fish today.
When choosing an occupational therapist, it is important to consider your individual needs and goals. You may want to ask about the therapist’s experience, qualifications, and areas of expertise. Here are some additional tips for finding an occupational therapist:
- Be clear about your needs and goals. What are you hoping to achieve with occupational therapy?
- Consider the therapist’s location. How far are you willing to travel for therapy? (Note: We can come to you!)
- Think about the therapist’s personality and communication style. Do you feel comfortable with the therapist?
Why would you need one of our occupational therapists?
There are many reasons why you might want to see our qualified occupational Therapists. Some common reasons include:
- To recover from an injury or illness.
We can help you regain your strength, range of motion, and independence after an injury or illness.
- To manage a chronic condition.
We can help you develop strategies for managing chronic conditions such as pain, arthritis, or multiple sclerosis.
- To improve your daily living skills.
We can help you with tasks such as dressing, bathing, cooking, and eating.
- To improve your motor skills.
We can help adults and children improve their fine motor skills (such as handwriting) and gross motor skills (such as walking and balance).
- To improve your sensory processing.
We can help you or your child if they have difficulty processing sensory information, such as touch, sound, or light.
- To improve your cognitive skills.
We can help you with tasks such as memory, attention, and problem-solving.
- To improve your social skills.
We can help you develop the skills you need to interact with others in social settings.
- To prepare for work or school.
We can help you or your child develop the skills you need to be successful in work or school settings.
- To achieve your goals.
We can help you identify and achieve your goals for independence, participation, and well-being.
If you are concerned about your ability to perform daily activities, you may benefit from seeing an occupational therapist on our team. We can assess your needs and develop a personalised treatment plan to help you achieve your goals.
Do occupational therapists diagnose?
No, occupational therapists do not diagnose conditions or diseases. This is the responsibility of medical doctors, such as general practitioners, paediatricians, or psychiatrists.
Occupational therapists work collaboratively with doctors to assess a person’s functional abilities and develop interventions to help them achieve their goals for independence, participation, and well-being.
In some cases, occupational therapists may use standardised assessments to gather information about a person’s skills and abilities. However, the results of these assessments are not used to make a diagnosis. Instead, they are used to identify areas where a person may need support or intervention.
What to expect during your occupational therapy journey with Butter Fish Services?
During your first occupational therapy session with Butter Fish Services, depending on your requirements, we will conduct an initial assessment where we will do the following:
- Ask you about your medical history, current concerns, and your goals for therapy.
- Observe your functional abilities and how you perform daily activities.
- Conduct standardised assessments to measure your skills and abilities.
- Develop a personalised treatment plan based on your individual needs.
In subsequent sessions, the therapist will:
- Provide you with training and education on how to improve your skills and abilities.
- Help you develop strategies to manage your challenges.
- Adapt your environment to make it more accessible and safe.
- Provide support and encouragement as you work towards your goals.
Occupational therapy can be a helpful and supportive process. It can help you improve your ability to perform daily activities, manage pain, and live more independently.
Here are some specific examples of what you might expect during occupational therapy:
- If you are recovering from a stroke, the therapist may help you with the use of activities that are meaningful to you to improve your strength, range of motion, and coordination.
- If you have a child with autism, the therapist may help you develop strategies for improving their communication and social skills.
- If you are a senior, the therapist may help you with modifications to your home to make it safer and easier to get around.
The specific interventions you receive will depend on your individual needs and goals. However, the overall goal of occupational therapy is to help you achieve your maximum level of independence and participation in daily activities that are meaningful to you.
When would a patient need occupational therapy?
A patient may need occupational therapy if they are experiencing difficulties with any of the following:
- Activities of daily living (ADLs): These are the basic tasks that people need to be able to do to take care of themselves, such as dressing, bathing, eating, and toileting.
- Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs): These are the more complex tasks that people need to be able to do to live independently, such as cooking, cleaning, managing finances, and taking medications.
- Motor skills: These are the skills that people use to move their bodies, such as fine motor skills (e.g., handwriting, using utensils) and gross motor skills (e.g., walking, balance).
- Sensory processing: This is the way that people take in and interpret information from their senses, such as touch, sound, and sight.
- Cognitive skills: These are the skills that people use to think, learn, and remember, such as attention, memory, and problem-solving.
- Social skills: These are the skills that people use to interact with others, such as communication, cooperation, and turn-taking.
Occupational therapists can help people of all ages who are experiencing difficulties with these areas.
Some common reasons why people might need occupational therapy include:
- Recovery from an injury or illness: Occupational therapists can help people regain their strength, range of motion, and independence after an injury or illness, such as a stroke, brain injury, or orthopaedic surgery.
- Management of a chronic condition: They can help people develop strategies for managing chronic conditions, such as pain, arthritis, or multiple sclerosis.
- Developmental delays: OTs can help children who are experiencing developmental delays, such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, or Down syndrome.
- Learning difficulties: Occupational therapists can help children who are having difficulty with learning, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyspraxia.
- Mental health conditions: They can help people who are living with mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia.
- Ageing: If you are an older adult and want to maintain your independence and quality of life as you age then OTs can help you do that.
What does an OT assessment look for?
An occupational therapy (OT) assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of a person’s physical, cognitive, and psychosocial skills.
The goal of the assessment is to identify any areas where the person may be having difficulty performing daily activities and to develop a plan to address those difficulties.
Some of the things an OT may look for during an assessment include:
- Physical skills: Strength, range of motion, coordination, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, sensory processing
- Cognitive skills: Attention, memory, problem-solving, executive functioning
- Psychosocial skills: Communication, social interaction, emotional regulation, self-care skills
- Environmental factors: Home, school, or work environment, access to resources and support
The OT will use a variety of methods to gather information during the assessment, such as:
- Observation
- Interviews
- Standardised assessments
- Performance-based tasks
Once the OT has gathered information, they will use it to develop a personalised treatment plan. The treatment plan will outline the person’s goals and the interventions that will be used to help them achieve those goals.
Can an OT help with emotional regulation?
Yes, occupational therapists (OTs) can help with emotional regulation. Emotional regulation is the ability to manage one’s emotions in a healthy way.
This includes being able to identify and understand one’s emotions, express emotions in a safe and appropriate manner, and cope with difficult emotions.
OTs can help adults and children with emotional regulation by:
- Teaching them about emotions and how they work
- Helping them to identify and understand their own emotions
- Developing strategies for expressing emotions in a safe and appropriate manner
- Teaching them coping skills for dealing with difficult emotions
- Helping them to create a more supportive and nurturing environment
OTs can also help people with emotional regulation by addressing any underlying sensory processing or motor skill difficulties that may be contributing to their emotional challenges.
For example, a child who has difficulty processing sensory information may be more likely to have tantrums or meltdowns. An OT can help the child to develop sensory processing strategies that can help them to better regulate their emotions.
Can OT help with social anxiety?
Yes, occupational therapy (OT) can help with social anxiety. Social anxiety is a mental health condition that can cause people to feel excessive fear or anxiety in social situations.
This can lead to avoidance of social situations, which can have a significant impact on a person’s life.
Occupational therapists (OTs) can assist with social anxiety by:
- Conducting an assessment of social skills to identify areas where assistance is needed.
- Developing and implementing strategies for managing anxiety in social situations.
- Enhancing confidence and self-esteem.
- Instructing on how to interact with others in a more positive and assertive manner.
- Providing support and encouragement as individuals work to overcome their social anxiety.
OTs can also address any underlying sensory processing or motor skill difficulties that may be contributing to social challenges. For instance, a person with social anxiety may have difficulty making eye contact or speaking in front of others. An OT can assist the person in developing sensory processing strategies or motor skills that can make it easier for them to interact with others.
How long does a child need occupational therapy?
The length of time a child needs occupational therapy (OT) varies depending on their individual needs and goals. Some children may only need a few sessions to address a specific concern, while others may need ongoing therapy for several years.
Factors that can affect the length of time a child needs OT include:
- The severity of their difficulties
- The number of areas they need help in
- Their rate of progress
- Their access to therapy services
In general, children who have more severe difficulties or who need help in multiple areas will likely need OT for a longer period of time.
At Butter Fish, we have a wide range of services such as behaviour therapy, speech pathology, ECEI, Counselling services etc. Please get in touch and our trained therapists will be assist you.
Ready to start your journey to A Greater You? Make a referral for yourself or your child today.
We also have a bunch of other resources for you to look at such as: