FOI 23/24-1239 DOCUMENT 2 OFFICIAL Knowledge Article For Internal Use Only The contents of this document are OFFICIAL. Guide - Therapy supports Appendix A
Guidance in this document is not approved for use unless you view it in PACE. This article provides guidance for a planner delegate, internal review delegate, national reassessment delegate, local area coordinator, early childhood partner, technical advisors, liaison officers (HLO/JLO) or complex support needs (CSN) planner to understand the definitions and assessments of therapy supports provided by: • Allied Health Professionals • Allied Health Assistants.
Recent updates October 2023 This guidance comes from the Practice Guide – Understanding Therapy Supports. We’ve made minor updates to change any NDIS Business System language to PACE language. We’ll make improvements to this guidance in the future. Before you start (optional) You have read and understood: • Our Guideline - Reasonable and necessary support (external) • article Guide – Complex Support Needs (CSN) Pathway.
Allied Health Professionals Allied health professionals (AHPs) hold a university qualification, specialise in different areas and work directly with the person requiring support. AHPs are not part of the medical, dental or nursing professions. AHPs assess, prevent, diagnose and treat a range of conditions and illnesses to help people: • develop skills and abilities to manage their disabilities • become more independent • become healthier and more active • increase function to build capacity. V2.0 2023-09-22 Guide - Therapy supports Appendix A 229732478 Page 1 of 7 This document is uncontrolled when printed OFFICIAL
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FOI 23/24-1239 OFFICIAL Knowledge Article For Internal Use Only AHPs can work with participants to provide supports funded by us, as well as those funded and delivered by a mainstream or community service such as the health system.
Dietitian
Dietitians support people to maintain or improve their health and wellbeing through nutrition and dietetics. Doctors may refer individuals to dietitians to help them with specific health conditions and to address nutritional concerns which may include weight, nutritional deficiencies and other diet related conditions. Dietitians provide evidence-based nutrition services, dietary counselling and therapy. Refer to the Dietitians Association of Australia for more information. Dietitians can support NDIS participants with Disability Related Health Supports. For further information refer to the Our Guideline – Nutrition supports including meal preparation.
Exercise Physiologist
Exercise physiologists assess people who have existing, or are at risk of developing, medical conditions or injuries. Exercise physiologists are different to personal trainers. Personal trainers work with people to improve their physical fitness in order to stay healthy. Exercise physiologists treat medical conditions or injuries using exercise-based interventions that may include health and physical activity education, advice and support. Refer to the Exercise and Sports Science Australia for more information.
Music Therapist
Registered Music Therapists (RMTs) have a university degree in music therapy. They are registered and abide by the Australian Music Therapy Association Code of Ethics. Music therapy is different to music lessons. RMTs use research-based practice and work as part of a multidisciplinary team to assist people with communication, motor skills, mobility, mood, emotions, cognitive capacity, identity and self-confidence. Music therapists always work with other AHPs and would not generally be funded in isolation.
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FOI 23/24-1239 OFFICIAL Knowledge Article For Internal Use Only Refer to the Australian Music Therapy Association for more information.
Occupational therapist
Occupational therapists (OTs) work with people to teach them how to be as independent as possible with their everyday tasks. This can include taking care of themselves, working, volunteering and participating in hobbies, interests and social events. They support people to build knowledge and skills, modify existing skills, find new ways of doing activities, and to manage change. OTs can also prescribe assistive technology supports like wheelchairs, shower chairs and scooters, and can make recommendations on home or vehicle modifications if required. Refer to the Occupational Therapy Australia for more information.
Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Orientation and Mobility Specialists (O&MS) work primarily with people who are blind or have low vision to learn skills that enable them to move as independently as possible in a range of indoor and outdoor environments. An O&MS supports participants to build on their confidence, knowledge and skills which can include the use of mobility aids, orientation to a range of environments, vision education and development of sensory awareness. O&MS’s can equip participants with the skills and concepts they need to move safely and confidently through their chosen environment, be it moving within their home, getting to school, using public transport for work or recreation purposes, or generally accessing the community. Refer to Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia for further information.
Orthoptist
Orthoptists work with people of all ages who have vision loss due to an eye condition or neurological involvement that causes difficulty understanding what is seen. Orthoptists provide participants with knowledge about how their vision works and support participants to build skills to enhance their functional vision for everyday activities. They are experts in helping
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FOI 23/24-1239 OFFICIAL Knowledge Article For Internal Use Only participants to use their vision to improve independence and confidence to live the life they choose. Orthoptists either modify the existing ways in which participants use their vision, or develop new strategies that help people partake in activities and manage change. They do this by providing therapy training to help improve the way participants optimise their remaining vision. This may include eccentric viewing training to help utilise peripheral vision, or scanning training to help navigate through their environment or easily locate objects. Orthoptists can also make various recommendations for assistive equipment to assist with near and distance vision including electronic or portable magnification devices, equipment that utilises optical character recognition, lighting enhancement and glare control. Refer to Orthoptics Australia for more information.
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists assess, diagnose, treat, and prevent a wide range of health conditions and movement disorders affecting the muscles and/or bones. For example, they help repair damage, reduce stiffness and pain, increase mobility and improve quality of life. Refer to the Australian Physiotherapy Association for more information.
Podiatrist
Podiatrists assess, diagnose, treat and manage conditions of the feet, ankles and legs. They also provide rehabilitation for people when they have medical and surgical conditions which affect their lower limbs. A podiatrist may prescribe foot orthoses to provide pressure distribution to treat and prevent corns, calluses and ulcers. Refer to the Australian Podiatry Association for more information.
Prosthetists/orthotists
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FOI 23/24-1239 OFFICIAL Knowledge Article For Internal Use Only Prosthetists/orthotists assess and treat the physical and functional limitations caused by illnesses and/or disabilities including limb amputations. They can prescribe, design, fit, and monitor prostheses or orthoses. The easiest way to explain the difference between a prosthetist and an orthotist is: • a prosthetist works with devices designed to replace a limb or another part of the body • an orthotist works with devices designed to assist a limb or another part of the body.
A prosthetic device is used to replace a person’s limb entirely (for example, foot, leg or arm) while an orthotic device is used to enhance/support a person’s limb or other body part (for example, spinal braces, leg splints or foot supports). Refer to the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association for more information.
Psychologist
A psychologist is a person who is trained in the science and profession of how people think, behave and learn. Psychologists work with people, and often their families, to help them make desired changes to behaviours. For example, to overcome relationship problems, anger issues, substance abuse or provide strategies to better manage a person’s mental health disorders (for example, anxiety, depression, eating disorders or bipolar disorder). Refer to the Australian Psychological Society for more information.
Speech Pathologist
A speech pathologist can diagnose and treat communication disorders. This includes supporting those who have difficulties with speaking, listening, understanding language, social skills and stuttering. They work with people to help improve communication using their voice or through assistive technology (for example, Picture Exchange Communication Symbols, talking buttons). They can also help people who experience difficulties swallowing food and drink safely. Refer to the Speech Pathology Australia for more information. Speech Pathologists can support NDIS participants with Disability Related Health Supports. For further information refer to Our Guideline - Dysphagia supports.
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FOI 23/24-1239 OFFICIAL Knowledge Article For Internal Use Only Allied Health Assistants Allied health assistants (AHAs), also known as therapy assistants, work under the supervision of AHPs. AHAs can have a range of skills and qualifications. These include TAFE certificates, working towards a qualification in an AHP discipline, experience working in specific areas and, in remote or rural areas, AHAs may receive on the job training. AHAs assist with less complex clinical and non-clinical tasks. These tasks will vary based on the AHA’s experience, knowledge and skill level. Some of the tasks include but are not limited to; assisting with therapy or exercise programs, implementing a therapy program developed by the AHP, supporting and supervising activities of daily living and working towards independence goals. Article labels – internal use only
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