Individual Occupational Therapy

Individual Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a unique profession that takes a holistic view of their clients, their lives and the environments they live in.

Occupational Therapists at Family Connections Sydney carefully assess their client’s strengths, abilities and difficulties in performing their life roles. This could include sensory processing skills, motor coordination, organisation, planning, cognitive function and emotional regulation.

Following our assessment, we can guide the client and their family towards the most effective therapy approach to suit their needs. Through the application of Sensory Integration theory, we engage our clients in playful and meaningful activities to provide appropriate intensity of sensory experiences to achieve an adaptive response leading to improved functioning in:

• Postural control (to stabilise the body for gross and fine motor activities, handwriting and greater physical endurance).
• Oculomotor and vestibular skills to improve reading, motor skills & class participation.
• Body awareness for improved coordination and praxis skills, necessary for sporting activities and confidence in movement, leading to improved self-esteem and emotional regulation.
• Oral motor skills to build tolerance for greater variety of tastes and textures.
• Play skills and social engagement that are necessary for interactions in the home and community.
• Co-regulation, self-regulation, and social engagement skills by supporting autonomic function

Our therapists also work on developing specific skills necessary to perform everyday activities, including:

• Self-care (dressing, toileting, eating, organising daily tasks)
• Handwriting
• Coping strategies for dealing with daily challenges or traumatic events
• Scaffolding skills which can be used by carers or educators to promote progressive skill development.

When necessary, we introduce changes to the environment (modifications or compensations) to create the best fit between an individual’s abilities, difficulties and the tasks they need or wish to perform.