OTs at Kid Sense focus on helping children overcome developmental challenges in movement, learning, behaviour and sensory processing. This can include improving finger dexterity for eating, writing and drawing or addressing the effects of trauma to the body or brain.
You can specialise in either research or industry from late in the third year. This will help you to be the most employable graduate.
What is Occupational Therapy?
Sensory integration occupational therapy Adelaide is a client-centred health profession that helps people build habits to get them back to doing what they love. This can include work, hobbies and leisure activities, caring for themselves and their home, and getting around.
OT practitioners are trained to identify your goals and help you find practical ways to reach them. This can include using equipment like wheelchairs or splints, changing how you do tasks (e.g. removing rugs that might be a tripping hazard), or teaching you new strategies to perform tasks safely and effectively.
Flinders students can engage with their future workplace early in their degree through an intensive series of clinical placements across metropolitan and rural South Australia. This allows you to build your skills and confidence before entering the workforce.
You’ll learn how to be an effective, compassionate and culturally responsive therapist with hands-on clinical experience in various settings, including public and private hospitals, community care, aged care, rehabilitation centres, paediatrics and private practice. We support our students to be innovative, reflective and client-centred in their approach to training. Our fantastic staff are passionate about teaching and research and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. We also have state-of-the-art learning facilities to ensure your education is best.
Occupational Therapy for Children
Children with a wide range of developmental challenges can see an occupational therapist. They help kids perform daily living or self-care activities, including bathing and showering, grooming (brushing teeth, combing hair), eating, dressing, toilet training, and play.
Additionally, occupational therapists can also support a child with emotional regulation. Emotional regulation is the ability to manage one’s emotions and respond to the feelings of others. This can be difficult for children with sensory, social, behavioural and motor issues.
OTs can also teach a child the skills needed to participate in everyday life and learn in school, such as attention, concentration, posture control, visual perception, pencil grip and handwriting skills. They can also provide children with adaptive and assistive technology to help them get around in the home, school or community.
Before your child goes to an OT, ask them about their concerns and what they hope to achieve from the therapy. You should also discuss whether your child needs a GP or health visitor referral. Ask about appointment times and waiting lists and how much an OT costs.
Occupational Therapy for Adults
Adults can use occupational therapy to help with everyday activities, such as eating, bathing and dressing. It can also treat mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. It is also an essential part of care for someone who has suffered a stroke, helping them return to work and leisure activities. This therapy can improve a person’s quality of life, reduce pain and make them feel more confident.
Sensory integration occupational therapy Adelaide are also trained to assist caregivers. They can provide training and support for family members to understand the seen and unseen effects of a disease, such as Parkinson’s or dementia. This can help alleviate guilt or frustration when a loved one struggles with daily tasks.
Another common reason for adults to seek OT services is to improve balance. This can be due to several factors, including diabetes and arthritis. OTs can teach patients techniques to help with balance, such as stretching and manual guided exercises. They can also assist with home or workplace modifications and equipment.
Many people with physical limitations can live independently if they receive the right help and support. Occupational therapists have extensive training to assist with this and can help people overcome their difficulties and achieve their goals.
Occupational Therapy for Seniors
Many older adults suffer from various physical and mental health problems as they age. Occupational therapy can be an invaluable resource to help them reclaim their independence and confidence. Regular sessions can improve their range of motion and slow the progression of diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. They can also learn to conserve their energy and manage sleep better.
Moreover, OTs can assist elderly patients in making home changes to improve safety and reduce the risk of accidents. For example, a patient with rheumatoid arthritis might benefit from installing handrails around their bathroom to make bathing safer. They may also be taught relaxation techniques to improve their mental well-being or encouraged to play memory games and crosswords to enhance their cognition.
If you think your loved one could benefit from an OT, ask their doctor for a referral. The cost of seeing an OT can vary depending on whether you have Medicare or private health coverage. Still, the Australian Government’s Healthcare Service Finder can assist you in finding a local provider. You’ll be able to search by type of health professional and location. You can also search for a qualified occupational therapist by profession. Suppose you’re considering studying for an OT degree. In that case, Flinders offers both Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Occupational Therapy degrees that are fully accredited and have been approved by the Allied Health Practitioners Registration Board.