In honour of Occupational Therapy Week, Laura Simmons shared with Occupational Therapy Australia her personal experience of how the OT industry has transitioned into a digital world.
Occupational Therapy Australia is the peak professional body representing the interests of OTs across Australia. They have over 11,000 members made up of individuals OTs and OT students.
In the article, Laura shares:
her experience working as an OT through the pandemic and lockdowns in Sydney
the impact of digital learning on kids and families
how technology enabled OTs to view problems differently
the treatment process vs episodes of therapy
what the future of OT holds
Description of article series from the OTA:
As part of OT Week 2021, the OTA have collected stories from members reflecting on this year’s theme ‘Occupational Therapy, supporting participation, inclusion and independence’ and their own experience as an OT supporting people of all abilities to engage in activities they find meaningful.
Read the full post from Laura here.
Excerpt from the post:
“The last year of the pandemic —well, nearly two— has been such a whirlwind. I saw first-hand the craziness of healthcare's transition into the digital world, for participants, therapists, and organisations. It didn’t matter if you were in a different town, or home-isolating - the need for care didn’t stop when the world did. In the end, no one was left behind.
More than ever, I see the vital role that OTs play in everyday occupations - and genuinely believe our work is to help build and support independence… If we build independence, then participation and inclusion follow. I love the idea of being able to graduate someone from therapy services (and even funding) because they don’t need that support anymore. Building agency, skills, and support systems so that others can feel included and participate in life wherever they want - this, in my mind, how we as OTs make a difference. And that independence is invaluable to quality of life.”
