As a parent of an Autistic child, you want to ensure that your child receives the best possible support and care. That is why it is worth considering an NDIS Occupational Therapy Assessment before applying for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), it is important to have an Occupational Therapist (OT) report to support your application. Because of this we will explore why an OT report can assist your child’s NDIS application. And how sensory profile and functional assessment can help in the process.
Why is an OT Report Important for NDIS Application?
One of the many roles of an OT is to provide relevant reports for the NDIS. These reports inform the NDIS about what is needed as support and may identify goals for yourself or your child. In addition, reports indicate specific supports that may build a person’s capacity and independence. An OT report can provide valuable information about your child’s abilities, challenges, and needs. Because of this, it can help the NDIS to determine the appropriate level of funding and support needed.
Read More: What can I do while on a waitlist for an autism assessment?
Understanding Sensory Profile and Functional Assessment
Sensory profile and functional assessment are two important tools used by OTs to evaluate a child’s abilities and needs.
Sensory profile refers to the way a child processes sensory information from the environment, such as touch, sound, taste and movement. Autistic Children often have sensory processing difficulties, which can affect their behaviour, emotions, and ability to learn. An OT can use sensory profile assessment to identify your child’s sensory strengths and challenges and develop strategies to support their sensory needs.
Functional assessment, on the other hand, focuses on a child’s ability to perform daily living tasks. This may be focused on dressing, eating, grooming and learning. Autistic children may have difficulties with fine motor skills, coordination, and planning, which in some cases can affect their ability to perform these tasks independently. An OT can use functional assessment to identify your child’s specific needs and develop a plan to improve their functional skills.
How Can OT Help Your Autistic Child?
An OT can provide a range of supports and interventions to help your Autistic child. These may include:
- Sensory integration therapy to help your child process sensory information more effectively
- Fine motor and gross motor skill development to improve coordination and movement
- Adaptive equipment and assistive technology to support daily living tasks
- Environmental modifications to create a sensory-friendly and supportive environment
- Parent and caregiver education and training to support your child’s needs at home
An OT report can be crucial for your child’s NDIS application. It provides valuable information about your child’s abilities, challenges, and needs. Sensory profile and functional assessment are important tools OTs use to evaluate your child’s needs and develop a plan to support their development and independence. While an NDIS Occupational Therapy Assessment is not mandatory for an NDIS application, it can help identify your child’s needs and goals more effectively.