When you or a loved one are referred for Occupational Therapy (OT) under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), understanding what to expect can help ease any uncertainties and make the experience more comfortable.

At Bloom Healthcare, we provide client-centred, evidence-based occupational therapy services tailored to individual needs, with a focus on enhancing independence and quality of life.

This guide will walk you through what happens during an OT session with us and how we work in alignment with NDIS goals to ensure you receive the most effective, personalised care.

Initial Assessment – Getting to Know You

Your first occupational therapy session with Bloom Healthcare will typically involve a comprehensive assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to understand your unique needs, abilities, and goals. This is a collaborative process where we aim to get a clear picture of what areas of daily living you or your loved one are finding challenging and what you hope to achieve through therapy.

During this session, your occupational therapist will:

• Ask About Your Daily Routine: We’ll discuss the tasks you do every day, from getting dressed and cooking to moving around your home and engaging in hobbies. This helps us identify areas where you might be struggling.

• Observe Functional Abilities: Your therapist may ask you to demonstrate certain tasks, such as using kitchen tools, walking around your home, or handling objects, to assess your functional capacity and physical abilities.

• Review Your Medical History and NDIS Goals: We’ll review any relevant medical history or conditions that could impact your mobility or ability to perform daily tasks. Understanding your NDIS plan and goals is also critical, as it helps us align our services with what’s outlined in your support plan.

The initial assessment is a key step in creating a tailored therapy plan. It’s designed to make sure we fully understand your specific needs so that your therapy is both effective and meaningful.

Developing a Personalised Therapy Plan

Once the initial assessment is complete, your Bloom Therapist will develop a personalised therapy plan designed to target the specific areas you want to improve. This plan will be tailored to your lifestyle, goals, and NDIS objectives.

At Bloom Healthcare, we believe that therapy should be client-driven, meaning that your input is central to every step of the process.

Your personalised plan may include:

• Skill-building activities for improving fine and gross motor skills, helping with tasks like dressing, cooking, or using mobility aids.

• Adaptive strategies to make everyday tasks easier, such as introducing assistive devices or teaching alternative ways to complete tasks that may be difficult.

• Home modifications advice to improve safety and accessibility, such as installing grab rails, reorganising furniture, or recommending specialised equipment.

• Exercises and therapeutic techniques designed to improve physical and cognitive abilities, whether it’s building strength, improving balance, or addressing memory challenges.

This plan will be closely linked to the goals in your NDIS plan, ensuring that the therapy you receive is both relevant and effective in helping you achieve greater independence.

What Happens During a Typical OT Session?

After the initial assessment and the development of your therapy plan, regular sessions will begin. Each session is designed to build on your progress and may involve a combination of hands-on activities, discussions, and practical strategies. Here’s what you can typically expect during a session:

1. Warm-Up and Check-In

At the beginning of each session, your Bloom therapist will check in with you about how you’ve been feeling, what progress you’ve noticed, and any difficulties you’ve experienced since the last session. This helps us track your progress and make adjustments to the therapy plan as needed.

2. Practical Skill Development

The main part of your session will focus on practical activities that are directly relevant to your everyday life. Depending on your goals, this could involve:

• Improving Daily Living Skills: Practising tasks like dressing, cooking, or using mobility aids, with guidance and feedback from your therapist. This might include training on using assistive devices like grab bars, dressing aids, or specialised kitchen tools.

• Strengthening Motor Skills: Engaging in exercises that help with coordination, strength, or fine motor control. For example, you might work on hand dexterity through specific tasks like gripping objects or using utensils.

• Cognitive or Sensory Support: If you or your loved one have cognitive or sensory challenges, your therapist may introduce exercises or strategies to help manage sensory inputs or improve memory, organisation, or problem-solving skills.

3. Reviewing and Adapting Strategies

Throughout the session, your Bloom therapist will review your progress with each task and may suggest modifications or adaptations to make activities easier or more efficient. For instance, if you’re struggling with cooking tasks, they might recommend a different way of positioning utensils or suggest using an assistive tool like a one-handed chopping board.

4. Home and Environmental Modifications

If part of your therapy involves improving safety and accessibility in your home, your therapist may conduct home visits or guide you through changes you can make to create a safer living environment. This might involve advising on where to place grab rails, suggesting slip-resistant flooring, or recommending the best furniture arrangement for easier movement.

5. Goal Setting and Next Steps

At the end of each session, your Bloom therapist will review the progress made and discuss any goals or tasks to focus on before the next session. This keeps you involved in your own progress and ensures that therapy remains focused on what’s most important to you.

How Often Will I Need Occupational Therapy Sessions?

The frequency of your OT sessions will depend on your individual needs and your NDIS plan.

Some people may benefit from weekly sessions, while others might only need therapy once a month or during specific periods of their life. Your occupational therapist at Bloom Healthcare will work with you to determine the best schedule based on your goals, progress, and support needs.

How We Align with Your NDIS Plan

At Bloom Healthcare, we understand how important it is for therapy to be aligned with your NDIS plan. That’s why we take the time to ensure that our services are fully tailored to your specific needs, goals, and funding provisions.

Our team is experienced in working within the NDIS framework, and we make sure that all therapies provided are evidence-based and directly linked to achieving the goals set out in your NDIS plan.

If you need assistance understanding how occupational therapy fits within your NDIS plan, our team can also help guide you through the process, ensuring you’re getting the most out of your supports.

At Bloom Healthcare, our goal is to provide compassionate, effective occupational therapy that enhances the quality of life for every client.

Whether you or a loved one need support with daily tasks, home safety, or mobility, our team of experienced occupational therapists will work with you every step of the way to ensure you receive the best care possible under your NDIS plan. Each session is tailored to your unique needs, helping you achieve greater independence, confidence, and comfort in your daily life.