Frequently Asked Questions

Adelaide OT – NDIS Occupational Therapy for Adults and Teens

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy supports people to participate more fully in everyday life. This includes daily activities such as self-care, home tasks, work, study, community participation, and emotional regulation. Occupational therapists focus on practical strategies that support independence, confidence, and wellbeing.

At Adelaide OT, therapy is individualised, goal-focused, and grounded in real-life contexts.

Who does Adelaide OT support?

Adelaide OT works with teens and adults who require support to build skills, routines, confidence, and functional independence.

I specialise in supporting NDIS participants who:

• Are Autistic

• Have ADHD

• Have an intellectual disability

• Have a physical disability

• Have psychosocial disabilities

Support is provided in a neuro-affirming, trauma-informed, and strengths-based way, respecting each person’s lived experience.

Do you work with NDIS participants?

Yes. Adelaide OT provides occupational therapy services funded through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

I work with:

• Self-managed participants

• Plan-managed participants

Services and reports are aligned with NDIS goals, funding categories, and evidence requirements.

What occupational therapy services do you provide?

Adelaide OT offers a range of services focused on functional participation and daily living, including:

• Functional Capacity Assessments (FCA)

• Sensory assessments and adaptive strategies to maximise function

• Independent daily living skills training (cooking, cleaning, laundry, self-care)

• Support with self-regulation and emotional regulation

• Task modification to reduce barriers

• Activity grading and scaffolding

• Building sustainable routines

• Developing self-confidence and autonomy

• Goal setting and breaking goals into small, manageable steps

All services are tailored to the individual and their environment.

What is a Functional Capacity Assessment?

A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is an in-depth assessment that identifies how a person functions in everyday activities and what supports may be required.

The assessment considers areas such as:

• Self-care and daily living

• Home and community participation

• Cognitive and emotional regulation

• Sensory processing

• Physical and environmental barriers

Reports are written in clear, NDIS-aligned language and reflect the person’s strengths, challenges, and support needs.

Can occupational therapy help with sensory processing and regulation?

Yes. Occupational therapy can support people to better understand their sensory preferences and responses and develop adaptive strategies that support regulation and participation.

This may include:

• Identifying sensory needs

• Modifying tasks or environments

• Developing regulation strategies

• Supporting emotional awareness and coping

The approach is neuro-affirming and avoids trying to “fix” or suppress neurodivergent traits.

Do you provide support with daily living skills?

Yes. Adelaide OT supports people to build independence and confidence with daily living skills such as:

• Cooking and meal preparation

• Cleaning and household tasks

• Laundry

• Personal care routines

• Time management and organisation

Skills are taught at a pace that feels achievable, using activity grading and scaffolding.

What does trauma-informed occupational therapy mean?

Trauma-informed occupational therapy recognises that past experiences can affect how safe, regulated, and confident a person feels during daily activities.

At Adelaide OT, this means:

• Working at the client’s pace

• Prioritising safety and choice

• Avoiding coercive or compliance-based approaches

• Building trust and collaboration

Support is respectful, flexible, and person-led.

How much experience do you have as an occupational therapist?

I have over 15 years of experience as an occupational therapist, working with individuals with a wide range of support needs across community and disability settings.

This experience supports thoughtful, practical, and realistic intervention planning.

Do you offer telehealth occupational therapy?

Yes. Adelaide OT provides telehealth services Australia-wide.

Telehealth can be suitable for:

• Functional coaching

• Routine development

• Regulation strategies

• Skill-building support

• NDIS-funded therapy

Sessions are adapted to ensure they are accessible, engaging, and meaningful.

Do you provide face-to-face OT services in Adelaide?

Yes. Face-to-face occupational therapy is available for clients located within approximately 30 minutes of Glen Osmond, South Australia.

Common service areas include:

• Glen Osmond

• Burnside

• Linden Park

• Hazelwood Park

• Beaumont

• Myrtle Bank

• Unley

• Malvern

• Parkside

• Fullarton

• Frewville

• Kingswood

• Goodwood

• Mitcham

• Clapham

• Colonel Light Gardens

• Daw Park

• Panorama

• Blackwood

• Mount Barker

• Stirling

• Crafers

• Nairne

• Norwood

• Magill

• Adelaide

• North Adelaide

• Plympton

• Glenelg

• West Beach

• Mile End

• Prospect

• Payneham

• Walkerville

If you are unsure whether your location is covered, please contact me.

Do I need a referral to see an occupational therapist?

No referral is required to see an occupational therapist. You can contact Adelaide OT directly to discuss services, availability, and suitability.

What happens in the first occupational therapy session?

The first session focuses on understanding your goals, priorities, strengths, and challenges. Time is spent building rapport, gathering background information, and identifying what support would be most helpful.

Therapy plans are developed collaboratively and reviewed regularly.

How do you approach goal setting?

Goals are developed together and broken down into small, achievable steps. This approach supports confidence, motivation, and sustainable progress.

Goals reflect what matters most to the individual, not externally imposed expectations.

How do I get started?

You can contact Adelaide OT directly to discuss your needs, NDIS funding, and service options. An initial conversation helps determine whether services are a good fit.

Fill out the form above and I will contact you as soon as possible. Alternatively you can call me on 0422 896 108, or email me via [email protected]