Home modifications mean more independence for Michelle - Therapy Focus
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Therapy Focus Newsletter • AUTUMN 2020
Pictured: Michelle Scott in her newly modified bathroom.
Inset: Therapy Focus Occupational Therapist Carmel McDougall demonstrating the use of fixtures and fittings.
Home modifications mean more independence for Michelle
Spacious and accessible living areas appeal to nearly everyone, disability or not. For Michelle, who lives with a condition
called Myelomalacia, altering the layout of her bedroom and bathroom has allowed her to achieve more independence
at home.
Michelle and her mother Kathy worked “In Michelle’s newly modified things much more convenient for her
together with the specialist home bathroom she now has level access to daughter.
modifications team at Therapy Focus a large shower, which allows her the “Michelle is very happy with the new
to make their home safer and more room to comfortably and safely have a bathroom; she uses it all of the time.
accessible. shower,” she said. She even washed her hair herself the
Therapy Focus Occupational Therapist “An accessible toilet was installed and other night.”
Carmel McDougall said the limited Michelle has the option to sit or stand (Story continued on page 3)
space in Michelle’s previous bathroom at her basin for her personal care."
made it difficult for her to move Pleased with the completed home
around and occasionally caused her to modification, Kathy said the decision
fall. to adapt the existing bathroom made
Autumn 2020 | InFocus 1
From our Chair and CEO
Can you believe that summer is almost over and we are heading into autumn? Over the Christmas period our offices
closed for a week so that staff could enjoy a well-earned break, which meant that people came back to work with a
renewed vigour and a spring in our step. And we are excited for our future!
At the end of last year we began a
new strategic planning process, which
has been extensive and has involved
every person in the organisation. We
are working with our colleagues to
understand how we can foster an
environment where staff can flourish,
while delivering services to help our
customers do the same. People’s
right to choose will underpin our
2020-23 Strategic Plan, which focuses
on bespoke services and localised
support that responds to the needs
of communities. The plan will be
launched at our Anniversary Breakfast
on 1 July 2020, along with a new
organisational ideology that we are
very proud of. Watch this space for
more information.
Another major announcement at the Pictured: The Executive Team getting into the festive
Anniversary Breakfast will be the spirit at the Therapy Focus staff Christmas Luncheon.
Inset: Staff thank you cards.
launch of our new logo! The new logo
is being developed with significant
input from our staff, who we see as opportunity on page 5. We appreciate education for Angelena, who is more
the lifeblood of our organisation. It is your support in acknowledging the accustomed to the slightly cooler
important to note that our name will hard work and dedication of our climate of Australia’s east coast, but
not change – we will remain Therapy therapists through this customer- she remains absolutely thrilled to be
Focus – but we believe it is time our driven initiative. part of Therapy Focus. We couldn’t be
logo, and brand more broadly, changes prouder of the people that we work
In the lead up to 1 July 2020, we
to reflect who we are today and into with every single day and the huge
continue to prepare our systems and
the future. Part of this process will difference they are making in their
processes for the fully commercial
include inviting our customers and communities.
market we will operate in once the
stakeholders to provide feedback on
NDIS is fully rolled out in WA. It is Here’s to exciting times ahead!
logo concepts, so keep an eye out for
important to ensure our amazing
this opportunity in April/May.
corporate services teams, who work
Our Parent Reference Group (PRG) is tirelessly to support the frontline work
also undergoing a transformation to our therapists do, are well supported.
become more representative of the Often people in these positions, who
many different customer groups we are not as visible, and who are seldom
serve. The group will now be known in the limelight, are overlooked. We
as the Customer Reference Group can assure you that without these
(CRG) and they are looking for new members of our team Therapy Focus
representatives who can help Therapy would not be the organisation it is, and
Focus grow. The CRG are also excited their roles are critical to our ongoing
to once again invite our customers, success.
their families and carers to nominate
We hope that you, like us, are looking
Therapy Focus employees for our
forward to autumn. Some of these Fiona Payne Angelena Fixter
2020 People’s Choice Award! You
hot Perth days have been quite an Board Chair CEO
can find more information about this
2 InFocus | Autumn 2020
Specialist (Continued from cover)
Disability Home modifications mean more
Accommodation independence for Michelle
services now
Carmel works collaboratively with “For children with disabilities, home
available Michelle to help her live life to the modifications can help eliminate or
fullest by providing equipment, reduce the help and physical support
Specialist Disability
assistive technology, changes to daily their parents need to provide –
Accommodation (SDA)
tasks and activities, and strategies to ideally helping prevent injury to the
is housing that has been
enable her to try new things. child and parents, and to allow them
specifically designed to meet
“Michelle has developed her to do the same activities as everyone
the needs of people who
independence in dressing, including else.
have an extreme functional
impairment or very high taking on and off her customised “There is a spectrum of changes
support needs. foot and knee orthoses, and her that can occur as part of home
ability to safely move throughout her modifications; it could be a simple as
The National Disability Insurance home,” she said. installing a grab rail, or as technical
Scheme (NDIS) provides SDA as using automation and emerging
“We plan to work together to help
funding for participants who meet technologies so that people can
make mealtimes and using cutlery
specific eligibility criteria. The control their lights, air-conditioning,
easier, as Michelle’s diagnosis
funding aims to provide these appliances, opening of their doors,
means she is losing sensation and
participants with more choice and electronics using remotes or an
coordination of her hands. Her wider
as to where they live, whilst also app on their phone.”
therapy team will also be supporting
ensuring those homes support their
her with strategies that ensure safe For more information abour our
accessibility needs.
swallowing and adequate nutrition in home modifications services, visit
Therapy Focus can now complete her diet.” www.therapyfocus.org.au/service/
SDA funding assessments for NDIS specialist/home-modifications or
Carmel said home modifications were
participants who want access call us on 1300 135 373.
an important factor to consider as
to SDA funding. We can also
they can significantly support people
work with developers to obtain
living with disability. *This article was first published in
SDA certification on dwellings or
properties. “For some people, a home The West Australian’s International
modification is the difference Day of People with Disability lift-
For more information go to
between staying at home out in December 2019 and has been
www.therapyfocus.org.au/
and moving into alternative reproduced with permission.
services/specialist or call us on
accommodation.”
1300 135 373.
Pictured: Michelle and Kathy Scott going over home modification plans with
Therapy Focus Occupational Therapist, Carmel McDougall and Project Manager
Jenny Greensmith.
Autumn 2020 | InFocus 3
Written by Team
Leader & Advanced
Physiotherapist,
Lucy Simmer.
Q&A: How do therapists work in schools?
In addition to home, clinic and community visits, our therapists regularly provide therapy in schools to help children
with disabilities develop their skills, build on strengths and discover their abilities. We are often asked the following
questions on this subject:
Q: How do I arrange for my child to will contact their teacher to discuss educational staff. For example, we
receive therapy at school? appropriate times for therapy to take might be working on:
A: When your child’s goals are place. • Social and communication skills,
best supported in an educational We believe that team work is vital so your child can express themselves
setting, we offer what’s called to achieving positive outcomes. Our in class, or socialise with friends at
a School Interface Meeting aim is always to help, not hinder lunch-time
(SIM). This is an opportunity for your child – or their teacher and • Emotional regulation skills,
school representatives to meet peers. We do not want to cause so your child can manage their
with the local therapy team to disruption and adopt a consistent emotions during the school day and
develop a partnership and shared approach that works for everyone. be able to actively participate in
understandings, ensuring that Q: What does therapy look like at class
therapy and educational goals school?
complement each other. A SIM is • Mobility skills, so your child can
also a chance to learn about the A: The ultimate goal of providing move around the classroom or
local therapy team and the services therapy to a child at school is to between classes more independently
we offer, as well as discuss how the help them access the curriculum and Our work also extends to supporting
therapy team can work within the enhance learning within the school and upskilling teaching staff and
school setting effectively. environment. other students. For example, a
Many schools are happy for their A therapist supports your child in a speech pathologist may spend time
students to access therapy on site, classroom setting, working shoulder with your child’s teacher to identify
and once permission has been to shoulder with your child and certain challenges your child is
granted your child’s Key Worker experiencing, in addition to giving
4 InFocus | Autumn 2020
People’s
Choice
Award:
Nominations
now open!
Our annual People’s Choice
Award highlights exceptional
service delivery and recognises
Therapy Focus employees who
have demonstrated our values of
respect, inclusion, courage and
integrity in their work.
Our Customer Reference Group
is now inviting Therapy Focus
customers, their families and carers
to formally acknowledge Therapy
Focus employees who have gone
‘above and beyond’ by nominating
them for the 2020 award.
For more information go to
www.therapyfocus.org.au/PCA or
call 1300 135 373.
them advice on how to best relay Q: What if my child’s school won’t Nominations close on Sunday
information to your child. agree to therapy? 5 April 2020.
There may occasionally be 1:1 A: Some schools prefer that therapy
work outside the classroom. This does not occur during school hours.
allows your child to focus on We can help you talk to the school to
skill development separately, in provide information and reassurance,
preparation for using those skills however there is no guarantee
within the classroom or school permission will be granted.
setting. We want to support your Some schools, such as Education
child and their school in achieving Support Centres, have specific
educational outcomes. preferences for how external
Q: How do I find out what my child therapists work in their schools. We Pictured: 2019 People's Choice Award
is doing in their school therapy always work to accommodate these winner, Tiffany Haliburton (centre) with her
client Tyla Harle-Winston (right) and Tyla's
sessions? preferences as much as possible. mother Dana Harle (left), who nominated
Tiffany for the award.
A: Each client has an individual It’s important to remember that a
communication plan that is set by school therapy visit doesn’t replace
the child’s parent or carer and their the need for home visits, or replace
therapy team at the start of their you working with your child on
therapy journey. This includes how certain goals at home. We encourage
you would like to communicate with parents and carers to embrace
us regarding your child’s progress working with their child’s therapy
– be it via text, phone, email or a team, educators and other health
full copy of session notes from the professionals.
therapist. Learn more about our therapy
At the end of each term we touch services for school-aged children
base with the child’s parent/carer by visiting therapyfocus.org.au/ Pictured: Dana Harle hugging Tiffany
Haliburton on stage during the presentation
and teacher to discuss progress services/services-by-age or call us
of the 2019 People's Choice Award.
and outcomes, and plans for the on 1300 135 373.
following term.
Autumn 2020 | InFocus 5
GIVE Program rocks Neil’s world
A set of lapidary tools funded by Therapy Focus’ GIVE Program is giving Nannup local, Neil Roper, back his
independence after he suffered a brain injury.
Lapidary is the cutting, polishing and generate a source of income," Deborah
engraving of stones and gems. Neil said.
got into the hobby after acquiring “He has a workspace set up in his shed
a number of rocks from his wife’s where he can go each day to enjoy
grandfather, Bob, when he passed his hobby, as well as some downtime,
away. Neil’s wife Narelle brought him a which has significant benefits for his
drill with a few attachments last year mental health. This is just as important
and he started experimenting. as the physical work that I do with Neil
“I was extremely close to Bob. He was as his physio.”
one of my best friends. Doing something In addition to sourcing stones from his
that he also enjoyed is a nice way to feel local area, Neil has enjoyed sourcing
close to him,” Neil said. raw and more exotic stones from afar
“Sitting outside for hours at time online – and has run a market stall
working with my hands and focusing on twice selling tumbled stone, rock slices
the task is enormously therapeutic for and other gems.
me. It gets me out of the house too.” “Lapidary has made a huge difference Pictured: Neil Roper with his new
Seeing the positive effects that to my quality of life,” Neil said. lapidary equipment funded by the GIVE
Program.
lapidary was having on Neil’s “It’s not just a hobby for me – it gives
mental wellbeing, Therapy Focus me something to do with my mind.
Physiotherapist Deborah Mitchell It’s mentally stimulating and very
suggested that Neil apply to the GIVE rewarding.”
Program for a grant to purchase more
tools. “Lapidary allows me to have
independence and work on something
Neil’s application was successful at leisure. Whether I’m having a good
and he received equipment that has or a bad day, and whether it’s for 10
enabled him to work on the stones minutes of 2 hours, I just love it.”
to a higher standard, and explore the
possibility of turning his hobby into a For more information about the GIVE
business. Program visit www.therapyfocus.org.
au/GIVE or call us on 1300 135 373.
“The new tools have allowed Neil to
prepare stones for sale and potentially
APPLY, DONATE OR FUNDRAISE
Every little bit helps. Our GIVE Program provides funding assistance to support
independence, participation and inclusion of people with disabilities and their families.
Apply – individuals and families accessing Therapy Focus services are invited to apply to the
GIVE Program for funding packages of $500, $1000, $2500, $5000 and $10,000.
Donate – the GIVE Program is only made possible by generous donations from the Western
Australian community. By donating a little you can give a lot.
Fundraise – fundraising is a great way to support a worthy cause. Get your friends together and
use your unique skills to raise much-needed funds for the GIVE Program.
Visit www.therapyfocus.org.au/GIVE to find out more.
6 InFocus | Autumn 2020
Christmas Ready and regulated for eating:
gift
wrapping Henry’s story
raises $13k! For 14 year-old Henry, mealtimes were a source a stress and anxiety.
His very restricted diet meant that he was gaining weight and
delays in his oral-motor skills affected his ability to eat foods safely.
In the lead up to Christmas,
Therapy Focus hosted gift Henry’s family wanted to help Henry
wrapping at Westfield enjoy meals and increase the amount
Carousel and Innaloo of food he ate at the dinner table, so
they enlisted the support of Henry’s
shopping centres to raise
therapy team and the specialist
funds for our GIVE Program. mealtime clinicians at Therapy Focus.
Following a comprehensive
The wrapping desks were assessment, a mealtime management
a great success, raising a plan was created to provide Henry
grand total of $13,204.63 with the support he needed.
- which well and truly beat Advanced Speech Pathologist,
last year’s total of $9,500! Ophelia Reid explained that a large Pictured: Henry at the dinner table.
A big thank you to all who part of this plan included sensory
volunteered their time to regulation preparation before
work on the stands. mealtimes.
closely with dietitian, Claire Breen,
For more information “Henry will listen to his favourite to ensure he is getting the right
about our GIVE Program, music, swing on his hammock, then nutrients in his diet.
or to make a donation, visit spend time with his Mum enjoying
“I assess and monitor the types
www.therapyfocus.org.au/ therabrushing and washing his hands
of foods Henry is eating and
GIVE for dinner,” Ophelia said.
provide advice and meal plans that
“Then he will sit at the table and accommodate Henry’s needs,” Claire
drink his preferred fizzy drink to help said.
stimulate the sensations in his mouth.
“I also work alongside Henry’s
This ensures Henry feels prepared,
Speech Pathologist, Ophelia, to help
regulated and less anxious when he
Henry develop his oral-motor skills.
sits down at the dinner table.”
This has helped reduce Henry’s fear
Henry’s therapy team also suggested around challenging foods and helped
breaking down mealtimes into make mealtimes safer and more
sections to help Henry stay regulated comfortable.”
throughout mealtimes.
To his family’s delight, Henry is now
“Rather than asking Henry to stay able to sit at the dinner table and
seated for half an hour, Henry will enjoy mealtimes. While his favourite
eat at the table for 10-15 minute music is plays in the background, he is
increments, with a sensory regulation/ able to engage socially with his family
reward break in the middle. This and eat with less anxiety.
might be lying in the hammock,
The next step in Henry’s therapy
playing his favourite game on the
journey is support for his transition
iPad, or getting up and walking
to high school and to ensure that
outside,” Ophelia said.
meals at school are also a positive
“A timer also helps Henry understand experience.
the structure of mealtimes.”
To learn more about the support
In addition to regulation strategies, we can provide for mealtimes, visit
Henry was prescribed a specialised www.therapyfocus.org.au/services/
seating system to help him sit specialist/mealtime-support or call
comfortably at the table and works us on 1300 135 373.
Autumn 2020 | InFocus 7
infocus What's on
Autumn 2020 AUSACPDM 10TH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE
11-14 MARCH
Therapy Focus Ltd The Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and
ABN 67 796 715 775 Developmental Medicine will host their 10th biennial
conference at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre.
Phone: 1300 135 373 This year’s theme is ‘2020 Visionaries’ with conference
attendees encouraged to be visionaries in their practice
Fax: +61 (08) 9451 5480
and research to lead future-focused outcomes for the
Address: PO Box 20 children and families they work with. A team from Therapy
Bentley 6982 Focus is attending the conference and will be hosting a
5/1140 Albany Hwy table in the conference exhibition.
Bentley 6102
For more information visit
Website: www.ausacpdm.org.au/conference
www.therapyfocus.org.au
Email: AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
enquiries@therapyfocus.org.au
APRIL
Editor:
April is considered Autism Awareness Month with 2
Brand Engagement Manager
April UN-sanctioned as World Autism Awareness Day.
Tessa Leschen Whether you are a person with autism, a family, a school,
tessa.leschen@therapyfocus.org.au a community group or a workplace, there are many ways
you can help raise awareness and increase understand of
InFocus is published quarterly. Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Permission to reproduce articles
appearing in InFocus may For more information visit www.autismawareness.com.au
be obtained from the Editor.
Contributions are welcome. ATSA INDEPENDENT LIVING EXPO
InFocus reserves the right to edit 6-7 MAY
submissions.
The ATSA Independent Living Expo is set to have more
facebook.com/TherapyFocus than 100 exhibitors displaying a wide range of products
and services in assistive technology, mobility solutions,
pressure care, employment support, accessible recreation/
twitter.com/TherapyFocus
holiday ideas, modified motor vehicles and more. There
will also be free seminars held in rooms located next to the
linkedin.com/company/ exhibition floor. Therapy Focus’ Assistive Technology and
therapy-focus-inc
Home Modifications team will be there, so come say hi -
instagram.com/ admission is free!
therapyfocus/ For more information visit
www.atsaindependentlivingexpo.com.au
Contact Therapy Focus to update
your mailing preferences and WA Disability Support Awards 2020
to unsubscribe. 9 MAY
The Disability Support Awards recognise people in
the disability sector providing supports of the highest
standards to increase the quality of life and inclusion of
people with disability in Western Australia. This important
industry event will include the presentation of seven
Disability Support Awards, a sumptuous three-course
dinner and drinks, plus great entertainment. Therapy Focus
is proud to be sponsor of the event and will present the
Excellence in Leadership Award.
For more information visit dswa.org.au
8 InFocus | Autumn 2020 Printed on 50% recycled paper.
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