Occupational TherapistsAdelaide
How can occupational therapists help
Occupational therapy (OT) helps people of all ages participate more fully in everyday life. As part of allied health services, it focuses on improving physical, emotional, sensory, and cognitive abilities through personalised strategies, therapeutic activities, and practical tools. At its core, occupational therapy is about improving function and quality of life.
OT's can support people in Adelaide by assessing functional needs to understand a person’s strengths, challenges, and goals and designing personalised intervention plans that target specific skills and routines. We recommend equipment or assistive technology to enhance independence and help clients develop routines and coping strategies for better daily functioning
Who can Occupational Therapists help?
Occupational therapy for adults in Adelaide
Occupational therapists (OTs) help individuals overcome barriers that affect their ability to engage in day-to-day life. Our services are available at our clinic or in the comfort of your home, making support accessible and tailored to your lifestyle. We work alongside you, your support network, and other professionals to achieve practical, meaningful outcomes.
Our occupational therapists can help with
We commonly assist with:
- Assistive Technology – Assess and recommend equipment to increase functional independence in ADLs. E.g. shower chair, over toilet frame, walking frame, modified cutleries, personal alarm etc.
- Home modification – Perform environment and home safety assessment and provide appropriate home modification assessments. This enables clients to improve safety in mobility and transfers to maintain independence and reduce risk of falls to be able to stay at home longer. E.g. accessible ramps, grab rails, bathroom modification, etc.
- Emotional and behavioural regulation – increasing focus and attention, enhancing motivation, stress management, energy conservation and practicing mindfulness.
- Support to engage in daily lives – providing support and regular intervention to achieve goals post-injury through routine practice and strategies. E.g. visual schedules, reward system, etc.
- Return-to-work support and workplace adaptations
- Functional Capacity Assessments
- Chronic pain and fatigue management
- Falls prevention and mobility planning
Occupational Therapy For Children
Our paediatric occupational therapists in Adelaide work with children and families to build skills, confidence, and independence so that they can participate meaningfully at home, at school, and within their community. We collaborate closely with parents, teachers, and other professionals to ensure consistency across all areas of a child’s life
Our experienced therapists work with children from a wide range of cultural and medical backgrounds, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual Disability (ID), Global Developmental Delay (GDD), Cerebral Palsy (CP), Down Syndrome, and various learning difficulties.
Our dedicated OTs are trained to assess and provide therapy in areas such as:
- Gross motor skills (standing, walking, running, sitting at a table at school). We also focus on hand eye-coordination skills, for example throwing, catching, kicking.
- Fine motor skills (handwriting, typing, tying shoelaces, doing up buttons/ zips, playing games).
- Sensory processing (self-regulation – emotional, increasing attention and concentration, managing behaviours, stress management, practicing mindfulness).
- Social skills (promoting engagement in make-believe play, turn taking, understanding social rules).
- Self-care tasks including toileting, dressing, eating, and showering.
- Community access training to support clients to take public transport safely and independently, walk to school etc.
- Support to engage in activities of daily living.
- Fine motor skills (handwriting, drawing, typing, tying, tying shoelaces, donning buttons, playing games).
- Gross motor skills including supporting hand eye coordination (jumping, balance, spinning, walking, running, safe seating).
- Emotion regulation.
- Sensory modulation and integration.
- Social participation and play skills.
- Self-care tasks (toileting, dressing, eating, and showering).
- Community access training to support clients to take public transport safely and independently, safely purchase items in the community.
Professional Occupational Therapists
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Tilegne Therapy is a multidisciplinary clinic that offers Speech, OT, Music Therapy and dietetics. We aim to offer a service where our therapists can work together in order to support the goals of each patient.
Why Choose Tilegne Occupational Therapists ?
Customised, Empathetic Treatment Strategies
No two people are the same, and neither are their therapeutic needs. That’s why we take the time to truly understand your goals, challenges, and day-to-day experiences. Our occupational therapists design individualised, evidence-based treatment plans that reflect what matters most to you. Every session is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and respect. We listen closely, adjust our approach as needed, and always keep your voice at the centre of care.
We Support Clients with Diverse Needs
Tilegne Therapy proudly serves clients from all walks of life — children, adults, older adults, and NDIS participants. Our therapists are trained in culturally responsive, inclusive care, and we’re committed to creating a space where all individuals and families feel respected and understood.
Occupational Therapy Process
A booking for an initial assessment will be matched to the most suitable therapist. Upon receiving your concerns and conducting initial
assessments you may receive verbal feedback or pay for a comprehensive report with findings of the assessment.
Case History Questionnaire
Before your first appointment, we’ll ask you to complete a brief questionnaire. This helps us understand your background, daily routines, challenges, goals, and any medical or developmental history relevant to your care.
It’s an important first step in getting to know you as a whole person — not just a diagnosis or referral.
Initial Assessment
First session
Your first session entails information gathering to gain a holistic picture of your needs and occupational therapy goals. For therapy with under-18s, we recommend the first session as a consultation between only the therapist and the parent/guardian for goal-setting.
Subsequent sessions
These first few sessions focus on building rapport with you and assessing a range of areas using both informal and standardised assessments. This will assist in identifying your strengths and needs. We are able to provide in-person observation, where the therapist can go to schools or home to obtain more information, with your consent. If your child has been seen by other health professionals (e.g. psychologists, speech pathologists), it will be beneficial to bring the reports so that the occupational therapist can get a better understanding of your child's development and associated concerns. Several areas of development will be assessed, such as ADLs, attention, behaviour, emotional regulation, social skills, mobility and transfers.
Treatment Planning
Upon completion of the assessments, your therapist will spend time analysing and making recommendations on areas of concern. If a formal assessment report is requested kindly note that it is chargeable. Depending on the assessment, your occupational Therapist will recommend therapy sessions with the frequency to be determined upon discussion. Therapy sessions can be conducted in the clinic, at home, at school or via telehealth.
At this clinic:
Our clinic has an amplitude of resources to develop your fine and gross motor skills, along with resources for regulating sensory processing needs. We provide fun and engaging therapy sessions to achieve your goals.
We also provide the option of outdoor therapy involving a sensory garden. Sensory garden creates opportunity for learning about the process of growing a plant, different smells, colours, and textures of plants. Outdoor space also focuses on enhancing gross motor skills with chances to run, jump, and move about for those who seek movement input to regulate their behaviours.
At home:
Our occupational therapists can come to you at the comfort of our clients’ homes for them to be able to be more secure and engaged in our therapy sessions. Home visits are suitable for those who have ADL-specific functional goals such as cooking, cleaning, and routine development. We also do home safety assessments to reduce risk of falls and independence in transfers and mobility.
At school:
Our occupational therapists can complete sessions with your child at school. These sessions will occur in the classroom working on areas identified in your goals. We also provide option for one-off observations in the classroom for recommendations on strategies for your child to best participate in their occupation as a student.
Telehealth:
Sessions can be completed via telehealth on zoom.
Ongoing guidance and feedback will be provided to facilitate goal achievement. Occupational therapy goals are targeted in an evidence-based approach using the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Agreed upon, Realistic, Time-Based).
Occupational Therapy Sessions
Depending on the assessment, your occupational therapist may recommend therapy sessions with the frequency to be determined upon discussion. Therapy sessions can be conducted in the clinic, at home, school or via telehealth. Ongoing guidance and feedback will be provided to carers to work with you outside of therapy sessions to facilitate goal achievement. Occupational therapy goals are targeted in an evidence-based approach using the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Agreed upon, Realistic, Time-Based). Your occupational therapists will develop tailored therapy sessions involving a variety of fun activities that target a wide array of skills identified in your goals.
Our Occupational Therapists Profiles
Ganesh Hanchate
Occupational Therapist
Ganesh brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and leadership excellence to his work. Since graduating in 2007, he has built a diverse career in neurological rehabilitation (stroke, Parkinson’s, TBI, dementia), orthopaedics, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and mental health.
Ganesh focuses on Functional Capacity Assessments, Supported Independent Living (SIL), and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) assessments. He is passionate about guiding clients toward practical solutions that enhance independence and quality of life.
Occupational Therapy FAQs
FAQs
General Questions
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Whether you're looking for support for yourself or a loved one, our compassionate occupational therapists in Adelaide can support you.
