An OT assessment is a unique type of session but overall we are getting to know you as a whole person. There are some puzzles that test your problem solving and memory but they are not the pass or fail type – more of the do what you can. Sometimes we can just do an everyday task like cook eggs on toast or find an item in a shop to demonstrate how you problem solve.
We truly believe that consumers with mental health issues are the strongest group of people. That’s why we are 100% transparent with our approach and we are here to advocate for you – as your ally. We will offer you a copy of our report drafts so that any changes can be made together. We are sensitive to individual’s triggers and fully open minded to your experiences. We may have 10 years experience with working in mental health but we are always learning from the people we work with – everyday.
We often find that people have an idea of how they want their life to be but are either not sure how to get there or don’t know where to start. That is what we can help with. Putting a recovery plan together can really keep you on track for where you want to be headed. Recovery means different things for everyone and figuring that out is also part of the process – mental wellness is not only about monitoring medications and hallucinations – recovery is every day and is defined by you.
An Occupational Therapy assessment should take about an hour and the majority of this time is talking with the person about a usual day for them, what a good and bad day may look like, how they problem solve issues and who they are connected to. There are also some specific tests that measure cognition; how you problem solve and figure things out. These tests are standardised; which mean they can be compared fairly across the general population. For a more accurate result the occupational therapist may ask you to complete an everyday task in a new context. The OT assessment will let us know what you value – what keeps you going on a bad day, what is most important to you and what you would like support with. The assessment will also let us know what amount and type of support you may need to continue with your values or improve your quality of life
An OT can help you figure out what approaches, equipment, services and supports are available to maintain or improve your quality of life. An OT wants you to stay true to your values, be as independent as you can and participate in meaningful activities when you want to. This may look like developing a daily routine, learning how to cook, improving conversation skills, or exploring ways to make new friends. If there is something you would like more of in your life then the OT is there to help you make it happen. Once these improvements are put in place an OT communicates these with your support network to keep the momentum.
An OT functional report is a summary of your strengths and abilities for activities of daily living. It may also talk about challenges you have in daily living. The main purpose is to highlight what you are able to do for yourself, if there are any resources/systems that can be set up so that can do more and what level supports can be offered to help with the rest. These reports should be used as a guide for any person that offers you support but they can also be used in an official sense for government applications.
Once an OT has got to know you, your functioning levels, and what you value they can then work with you and your supports or family members to implement a new plan or show how best to support you. The main point is that they understand what is important to you, that they do not do everything for you or expect tasks that can be too difficult. As your ally, an OT will express what your values are and how you can be supported to be independent in your life. Sharing the values that you care about (and what you don’t care about!) is often the best place to start.
An OT assessment can inform applications for department of housing, guardianship, NDIS access and appeals. They can inform current care networks of a persons current functioning and advise on how to best support a person. We have largely found that being transparent with the person also about their care needs, when appropriate, empowers the individual to make informed choices and engage in actives they value.