Occupational Therapy at Spectrum Services

At Spectrum Services, our Occupational Therapists understand that everyone’s brain works differently, and that’s something to celebrate.

We take a neuroaffirming approach, working alongside each person to build skills, confidence, and comfort in their daily life, allowing them to thrive.

In-Clinic

Home Visits

Telehealth

School Based

Onsite Employment

Community

Here are some ways Our Occupational Therapists Can Help

Our team has extensive experience working with the NDIS and can provide a wide range of assessments and practical support to help individuals and families access the services they need. This includes:
– Functional Capacity Assessments (FCA) for NDIS access or plan reviews
– Home and Living Assessments, including reports for Supported Independent Living (SIL) and Individualised Living Options (ILO)
– Sensory Profile Assessments to inform support needs and guide therapeutic strategies
– Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Assessments to explore strengths and support needs in areas like personal care, domestic tasks, and community participation
– Environmental and Minor Home Modifications Assessments to identify small but meaningful changes that can increase safety, independence, and sensory comfort
– Guidance to assist individuals and families understand their NDIS plan, navigate funding categories, and feel prepared for review meetings

We help kids, teens and adults navigate school, higher education, or work environments with greater ease:
– Recommendations for accommodations and sensory supports
– Build on planning skills, prioritisation, maintaining concentration, organisation and appropriate and effective communication
– Managing routines, transitions, and emotional energy
– Learning to advocate for needs in educational and vocational settings
- Preparation for interviews and entering the workplace
- Assist with building social participation skills like navigating group work, joining peer activities and play

We can recommend tools and strategies to make life easier at home, school, work, or in the community:
– Assistive technology (AT) to support independence
– Minor home modifications (e.g. grab rails, layout changes) to increase safety and accessibility
– Equipment or tech to assist with sensory, motor, or executive functioning needs

We support people in developing independence with everyday tasks at home and in the community. Depending on age and goals, this might include:
– Dressing, bathing, toileting, eating, and sleep routines
– Cooking, cleaning, laundry, and managing a home environment
– Building daily routines that reduce stress and support energy levels
– Learning to pace, prioritise, and conserve energy to reduce burnout

We help individuals better understand their sensory preferences:
– Sensory processing assessments and education
– Personalised strategies to reduce sensory overload
– Assistive technology recommendations for sensory comfort
– Minor home modifications to create calm and accessible spaces

We explore how the brain and body respond to stress:
– Understanding emotional triggers
– Recognising and responding to internal body signals (interoception)
– Identifying, naming, and expressing emotions
– Redirecting behaviours of concern into safer, more helpful actions

We support thinking and organisational skills that help with everyday problem-solving and independence:
– Assessments and education around executive functioning challenges
– Visual schedules, checklists, and assistive tools
– Learning to plan, organise, and manage time or transitions
– Adapting environments to reduce distress and increase success

Our OTs can assist with building confidence in social and community settings:
– Forming and maintaining friendships or social connections
– Social interaction skills tailored to the individual’s style
– Finding or returning to leisure activities
– Building confidence in joining group activities, clubs, or outings

Understanding and celebrating neurodivergence is an important part of therapy. We support individuals to:
– Explore and affirm their identity as an autistic or neurodivergent person
– Communicate preferences and needs more confidently
– Build a strong sense of self-awareness and self-worth

We know that supporting an autistic person is a team effort, and we’re here for families too:
– Guidance on creating structure and predictability at home
– Strategies for managing challenging behaviours in neuroafirming ways
– Support with navigating the NDIS
– Advocacy for your child or loved one’s needs
– Building on your strengths as a caregiver while protecting your wellbeing