Opening Doors FAQs

How does Occupational Therapy assist children?

Occupational therapy - a treatment that focuses on helping people achieve independence in all areas of their lives - can provide children with strategies to improve their physical, cognitive and social skills in a fun and meaningful way. A child's "job" of growing into adulthood involves continual adaptation in order to be able to meet the demands of their environment while making the most of opportunities available. Occupational therapy practice is based on understanding the interactions among children, their activities and their environments.

A child's main "job" or "occupation" is to learn. Children learn through playing therefore therapy is conducted through a play based model. Therapists evaluate the child's skills, compare them to what is developmentally appropriate and then set up activities that will improve their areas of weakness whilst promoting their strengths.

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), in addition to dealing with an individual's physical well-being, occupational therapy practitioners address psychological, social, and environmental factors that may hinder an individual's functioning in different ways. This unique approach makes occupational therapy a vital part of health care for some children.

What type of difficulties do you treat?

Opening Doors specialises in treating children who are experiencing difficulties with learning, motor skills, skills of independence, concentration, attention, developing relationships and behaviour. Some common diagnoses seen include; Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, ADD/ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Developmental Delay, Learning Difficulties and others.

How do services usually begin?

It is recommended that a screening or standardised assessment is conducted to gain a baseline of your child's skills and determine priorities for treatment. This process uses best practice assessment tools to determine your child's strengths and weaknesses. Results of the assessment will help guide future therapy, if required. Goals will be developed in consultation with your family and will be regularly revised as your child progresses.

What happens in an Occupational Therapy session?

Sessions are usually 45 minutes to 1 hour in length. Parents are encouraged to attend the sessions to gain extra information about how to continue with strategies at home. Motivating activities are developed to address specific goals for your child targeting their underlying difficulties. Therapy used will be based on traditional OT models of practice as well as the sensory integration approach, DIR®-Floortime model and components from the Hanen® model.

What age is best to start Occupational Therapy?

Opening Doors treats children from 0-18 years. It is recommended that once a difficulty is identified (usually via parent, childcare centre/school, and paediatrician) therapy begin as soon as possible. There is a large amount of current research demonstrating that the most effective learning takes place in the first 5 years of life. Therefore the earlier the better!

Where can I get more information?

Please phone the centre on 9281 0486, 0414 789 248 to discuss your individual concerns. The "links page" on this website provides access to more research and resources. Please take some time to have a look.

How much does therapy cost?

The cost is determined by session length and type of assessment. Please phone the centre to discuss this in more detail.

Can I claim on Medicare?

Opening Doors is a registered with Medicare Australia. You may be able to claim if you are eligible for the Enhanced Primary Care Plan or Better Outcomes in Mental Health Initiative.

The Medicare Enhance Primary Care Plan provides assistance for people with "chronic conditions and complex care needs". This funding assists families with support for up to 5 occupational therapy sessions a year. Please contact the centre or talk to your GP for more details on this plan.

From 1 November 2006 new Allied Mental Health Medicare items have been made available on the Medicare Benefits Schedule. Medicare rebates will be available for up to 12 individual allied mental health services per patient per calendar year. This would mostly apply for families with a child on the Autism Spectrum or with a diagnosed Mental Illness. Please contact the centre or talk to your GP for more details on this plan.

You can access more information on both of the above programs at the Medicare Australia website. www.medicareaustralia.gov.au

Can I claim on private health insurance?

Occupational Therapy is covered by most private health insurance companies in Australia. It is best to discuss your family's cover with your individual provider to determine your claim benefits as they vary greatly.

How do I take the first step?

Phone the centre to discuss your concerns with our staff. We will then send you a package including a background questionnaire and organise an initial meeting. The initial meeting can be set up in our rooms or at your home. At this meeting we will discuss your concerns how occupational therapy could be beneficial for your child.


	How does Occupational Therapy assist children? What type of difficulties do you treat? How do services usually begin? What happens in an Occupational Therapy session? What age is best to start Occupational Therapy? Where can I get more information? How much does therapy cost? Can I claim on Medicare? Can I claim on private health insurance? How do I take the first step? *How does Occupational Therapy assist children?* Occupational therapy - a treatment that focuses on helping people achieve independence in all areas of their lives - can provide children with strategies to improve their physical, cognitive and social skills in a fun and meaningful way. A child's "job" of growing into adulthood involves continual adaptation in order to be able to meet the demands of their environment while making the most of opportunities available. Occupational therapy practice is based on understanding the interactions among children, their activities and their environments. A child's main "job" or "occupation" is to learn. Children learn through playing therefore therapy is conducted through a play based model. Therapists evaluate the child's skills, compare them to what is developmentally appropriate and then set up activities that will improve their areas of weakness whilst promoting their strengths. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), in addition to dealing with an individual's physical well-being, occupational therapy practitioners address psychological, social, and environmental factors that may hinder an individual's functioning in different ways. This unique approach makes occupational therapy a vital part of health care for some children. *What type of difficulties do you treat?* Opening Doors specialises in treating children who are experiencing difficulties with learning, motor skills, skills of independence, concentration, attention, developing relationships and behaviour. Some common diagnoses seen include; Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, ADD/ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Developmental Delay, Learning Difficulties and others. *How do services usually begin?* It is recommended that a screening or standardised assessment is conducted to gain a baseline of your child's skills and determine priorities for treatment. This process uses best practice assessment tools to determine your child's strengths and weaknesses. Results of the assessment will help guide future therapy, if required. Goals will be developed in consultation with your family and will be regularly revised as your child progresses. *What happens in an Occupational Therapy session?* Sessions are usually 45 minutes to 1 hour in length. Parents are encouraged to attend the sessions to gain extra information about how to continue with strategies at home. Motivating activities are developed to address specific goals for your child targeting their underlying difficulties. Therapy used will be based on traditional OT models of practice as well as the sensory integration approach, DIR®-Floortime model and components from the Hanen® model. *What age is best to start Occupational Therapy?* Opening Doors treats children from 0-18 years. It is recommended that once a difficulty is identified (usually via parent, childcare centre/school, and paediatrician) therapy begin as soon as possible. There is a large amount of current research demonstrating that the most effective learning takes place in the first 5 years of life. Therefore the earlier the better! *Where can I get more information?* Please phone the centre on 9281 0486, 0414 789 248 to discuss your individual concerns. The "links page" on this website provides access to more research and resources. Please take some time to have a look. *How much does therapy cost?* The cost is determined by session length and type of assessment. Please phone the centre to discuss this in more detail. *Can I claim on Medicare?* Opening Doors is a registered with Medicare Australia. You may be able to claim if you are eligible for the Enhanced Primary Care Plan or Better Outcomes in Mental Health Initiative. The Medicare Enhance Primary Care Plan provides assistance for people with "chronic conditions and complex care needs". This funding assists families with support for up to 5 occupational therapy sessions a year. Please contact the centre or talk to your GP for more details on this plan. From 1 November 2006 new Allied Mental Health Medicare items have been made available on the Medicare Benefits Schedule. Medicare rebates will be available for up to 12 individual allied mental health services per patient per calendar year. This would mostly apply for families with a child on the Autism Spectrum or with a diagnosed Mental Illness. Please contact the centre or talk to your GP for more details on this plan. You can access more information on both of the above programs at the Medicare Australia website. www.medicareaustralia.gov.au *Can I claim on private health insurance?* Occupational Therapy is covered by most private health insurance companies in Australia. It is best to discuss your family's cover with your individual provider to determine your claim benefits as they vary greatly. *How do I take the first step?* Phone the centre to discuss your concerns with our staff. We will then send you a package including a background questionnaire and organise an initial meeting. The initial meeting can be set up in our rooms or at your home. At this meeting we will discuss your concerns how occupational therapy could be beneficial for your child.