Understanding the Difference Between Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy in the NDIS

Published at 31-03-2025 12:12:41

Tags: #ForParticipants

When an NDIS plan includes funding for therapies, Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physiotherapy are two of the most common supports you might encounter. Both play crucial roles in helping participants achieve their goals, but they focus on different aspects of a person’s physical and functional development.

Here’s a breakdown of how these two therapies differ:

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapists (OTs) focus on improving fine motor skills—movements involving small muscles, typically in the hands and fingers—that enable a person to perform daily functional tasks. OTs work to enhance participation in meaningful and purposeful activities, known as "occupations," which may include:

• Self-care tasks: Brushing teeth, getting dressed, eating, etc.
• Academic or employment tasks: Typing, writing, using a phone, etc.

For NDIS participants, OTs assess how a disability affects day-to-day tasks and find ways to adapt the environment or activities to improve functionality. OTs also help participants interpret sensory information from their surroundings, improving their sensory integration.

Common OT Focus Areas:

• Self-care tasks (e.g., dressing, eating)
• Fine motor skills (e.g., handwriting, using tools)
• Cognitive skills (e.g., memory, attention)
• Sensory processing abilities (e.g., understanding sensory stimuli)

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapists focus on improving gross motor skills, which involve large muscle groups and whole-body movements necessary for functions like walking, sitting, standing, and balance. Physiotherapy aims to improve physical mobility and function, often in people with disabilities affecting movement.

Physiotherapists develop tailored treatment plans that help participants increase their independence and mobility. These plans focus on restoring the functionality of muscles, aligning bones and joints, and managing pain.

Common Physio Focus Areas:

• Gross motor skills (e.g., standing, walking)
• Functional mobility (e.g., gait mechanics)
• Strength and endurance
• Balance and coordination

How Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Work Together

While the focus areas of OT and Physio may seem different, there’s often overlap in the skills they help participants develop. For example, a participant might need physiotherapy to improve their ability to stand and maintain balance, and occupational therapy to help them use their hands effectively once they’re standing.

Both OTs and physiotherapists work together to ensure participants achieve their NDIS goals. For instance:

• Getting dressed: A physiotherapist will work on improving balance so the participant can stand or sit steadily, while an OT will focus on improving hand dexterity to fasten buttons or zippers.
• Writing: Physiotherapists will help the participant develop the necessary core strength to sit upright, while OTs will focus on fine motor skills like holding a pen and writing.

Which Disabilities Benefit from Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy?

• Physiotherapy is crucial for those with movement-related disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spinal injuries, or neurological impairments.
• Occupational Therapy is beneficial for individuals who need help with daily activities impacted by fine motor challenges, such as dressing or handwriting, often seen in children with developmental delays.

Summary

• Physiotherapists focus on improving mobility, strength, and gross motor skills.
• Occupational Therapists help participants improve fine motor skills and adapt to perform daily tasks.
• The two disciplines often work together to support NDIS participants in achieving a holistic improvement in their daily lives, combining mobility and functional skill development.

As they say, “teamwork makes the dream work”! Collaborating with both an OT and a physiotherapist can make a world of difference in an NDIS participant’s journey toward independence and goal achievement.