Occupational Therapy
Children with SMA may have some trouble with everyday tasks. Occupational therapists work together with patients and their families to achieve their goals by building skills, making changes to activities and/or the environment, and providing specialised equipment or aides.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions about occupational therapists and your appointments with them. Click on each question or row to read more. If you have further questions, please speak with your neuromuscular care team at your local clinic or hospital.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Occupational therapists (OTs) help individuals with neuromuscular disorders to be independent and to participate in meaningful daily activities at home, school, and the community.
OTs work together with children/adolescents and their families to achieve their goals by building skills, making changes to activities and/or the environment, and providing specialised equipment or aides.
OTs have specialist skills in the assessment and management of arm and hand function which is important for everyday tasks.
OT can help with concerns or difficulties with:
- independence and participation in activities of daily living
- self-care tasks (e.g. toileting, dressing, showering)
- school related activities
- meaningful activities (e.g. play, hobbies, social activities etc)
- accessing home and school environments
- arm and hand function impacting everyday tasks (e.g. eating, handwriting)
OTs in tertiary clinics have specialist knowledge and expertise in SMA. They can provide recommendations and consultation to families and the child/adolescent’s community-based therapists.
Bring any details from your community-based OT, and any concerns you may wish to discuss.
OT is an essential part of community care for individuals with SMA. OT is important in supporting your child/adolescent’s participation and independence and timely prescription of required specialised equipment and home modifications.
OT can be accessed via the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
If you are an NDIS participant, you can apply for funding to access OT in your local community. To find an appropriate therapist in your area, seek support from your NDIS Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or Support Coordinator (if you have one).
If you are not eligible for NDIS, please talk to your tertiary hospital team about accessing other services.
For children and adolescents with a neuromuscular condition, physiotherapy is focused on gross motor skills, mobility and respiratory function. Occupational therapy is focused on maximizing independence and participation in activities of daily living in the home, school and community.
