What is the NDIS?

The NDIS provides an opportunity for people living with a disability/chronic condition and their families to receive support to reach goals that will enable greater participation, build capacity and enable greater independence. A common misconception is that a chronic diagnosis or disability alone gets you accepted as a participant in the scheme.

Applying for NDIS.

Acceptance of the national scheme and subsequent allocation of funding and supports is based on how that condition affects your daily living and participation at home and in the community. Unfortunately, some applicants find themselves unsuccessful in applying to the scheme, or they successfully become scheme participants. Still, they do not receive the support and funds they need. As a result, the NDIS often look to occupational therapy reports to provide the information to support and fund the participants.

Occupational Therapists role.

Occupational therapists play an essential role in supporting people who have yet to be accepted as NDIS participants or who already have an NDIS plan in place.  They conduct thorough assessments and facilitate people living with a disability to live up to their full potential and enhance independence with everyday activities. Some examples include identifying strategies and supports to help manage self-care, domestic tasks, meal preparation, community access or increasing function to live independently. The NDIS is supportive in funding the supports needed to influence these critical areas of everyday life.

What’s involved in an OT’s report and assessment?

Our Occupational therapy team at ARC can complete home-based client assessments and produce comprehensive reports for applicants applying to participate in the NDIS scheme. These exhaustive reports will help identify support needs necessary to progress goals and aspirations and prepare applicants to meet the access requirements required by the NDIA.

These reports include assessment outcomes on functional capacity, goal setting and treatment recommendations to undertake any of the following activities:

• Communication
• Social Interaction and community access
• Education and training
• Employment
• Learning
• Mobility
• Self-care
• Self-management
• Housing
• Health and wellbeing

How an OT can help in NDIS planning.

An Occupational therapist report helps identify the link between a persons disability/condition and how it affects their day to day life. They can also assist you with goal setting that will help make a difference in your life. In addition, the report can be taken to the first planning meeting to support the decision making by the NDIS around the allocation of funds inappropriate categories.

If you want further information on NDIS eligibility, please refer to the NDIS website Am I eligible | NDIS.