ADS’ friendly and professional team of occupational therapists are focussed on promoting health and wellbeing by enabling people to participate in the everyday occupations of life, such as self-care activities (showering, dressing, preparing food; productive activities such as education, work, volunteering and caring for others; and leisure/social activities, such as being part of a community group, engaging in a hobby, and being part of a friendship group).

Occupational therapists play a crucial role in enabling people with disabilities to identify and implement methods that support their participation in occupations. This may include modifying an activity or an environment.

Their support may include:

• Therapeutic use of occupations and activities, including therapeutic use of self (including one’s personality, insights, perceptions, and judgments, as part of the therapeutic process).
• Skill development in self-care, self-management, home management, and community/work/school reintegration.
• Education and support of individuals, including family members, caregivers, and others, through collaborative and consultative partnerships and family-centred approaches.
• Modification of environments (e.g., home, work, school, community) and adaptation of processes, including the application of ergonomic principles.
• Assessment, customisation, and oversight of equipment provision including orthotic devices, and training in the use of prosthetic devices.
• Use of natural contexts for assessment and intervention (i.e. home, school classrooms, work settings, community).
• Use of a range of specific therapeutic procedures to enhance performance such as wound care management, techniques to enhance sensory, perceptual, and cognitive processing, and manual therapy technique skills.