What is occupational therapy?
Different skills are required at different stages of a person’s life. Occupational Therapists at Autism SA have the training and experience required to assess the development needs of individuals on the autism spectrum of all ages, and develop therapy programs that support individuals to undertake everyday living, education, social and work activities. The Occupational Therapy team works closely with other allied health professionals, such as Speech Pathologists, Social Workers and Psychologists.
Our Occupational Therapists are skilled in providing:
- Functional Capacity Assessments
- Assessments of specific skills e.g. toileting
- Individual therapy in our clinics, at school or your home
- Group based therapy
All Autism SA Occupational Therapists are regulated by the professional body Allied Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and are recognised as Registered Occupational Therapists.
How can I benefit from occupational therapy?
Individuals of all ages can benefit from occupational therapy, with skill development and support in a range of areas such as:
- Daily living skills like dressing, toileting and sleeping
- Play and leisure skills
- Sensory processing
- Fine motor skills
- Gross motor skills
- Attention and concentration
- Behaviour support
- Emotional regulation
- Social skills
- Organisational skills
- Stress and anxiety
- School readiness skills
- Work related skills
- Mealtime skills
Developing skills in these areas can help individuals to better achieve their developmental, social and educational goals. It can also support inclusion and participation in the community.
How can I access occupational therapy?
To register your interest in Occupational Therapy please fill out the form below:
Occupational Therapy
No waitlist We currently have appointments available in Adelaide (Tonsley and Elizabeth) for children (paediatric) and adults.
For more information about supports and services at Autism SA, please contact us on 1300 288 476 or email at contactus@autismsa.org.au.
Autism SA is accredited and registered as a provider through the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). This means that you can pay for services at Autism SA with your NDIS funding, or you may pay yourself, through fee for service.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I consider making a referral to an Occupational Therapist?
A referral to an occupational therapist should be considered when an individual:
- Has difficulty engaging in certain environments and/or accessing the community
- Dislikes or seeks sensory input such as sounds, movement, touch to a level that negatively impacts a person’s quality of life
- Has difficulty maintaining attention and concentration in order to complete required tasks, activities and/or routines
- Has difficulty understanding and using their body
- Requires more assistance than same aged individuals to complete tasks, activities and/or routines
- Has difficulty with creating and maintaining organisation
- Has difficulty with engaging within their school environment
- Has difficulty with work related skills and/or challenges with finding and maintaining desired employment
- Is wanting to live more independently than what they currently are
- Has a limited diet which is negatively impacting on quality of life
- Mealtimes are challenging.
The following people and professionals are able to make a direct referral to see one of Autism SA’s Occupational Therapists:
- Individuals – self referral
- Parents/carers
- General Practitioners
- Child Health Nurses
- Other health professionals
- Childcare workers, kindergarten and school teachers
- Community health organisations
How can I arrange an occupational therapy assessment?
Contact us on 1300 288 476 to enquire about the supports and services that we have available, or the groups and programs that are currently running.
Where can I attend an occupational therapy session?
You can access Autism SA Occupational Therapy services as face-to-face sessions in a range of locations, including:
- Autism SA’s Tonsley or Elizabeth clinics
- Your childcare centre or kindergarten
- At school
- In your home
- Online via Telehealth.
What funding options are available?
Autism SA is accredited and registered as a provider through the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Occupational therapy services can also be provided through a Fee for service arrangement.
