Exploring the Diversity of Occupational Therapy at KEO Care – and why you might see more than one OT
After more than 15 years as an Occupational Therapist, I still find myself learning something new almost every day. That’s one of the things I love most about OT — the sheer breadth of what we can offer. Occupational therapy gives us the unique opportunity to support people at all stages of life, in all kinds of environments, and in ways that are truly transformational. Whether we’re building a child’s capacity for play, helping an adult return to work, or recommending home modifications so someone can live more safely and independently.
Within that broad scope, there’s space to deeply specialise. For me, that looks like a love of paediatrics, assistive technology for children, and exploring behaviour and its impact on family quality of life.
At KEO Care, we celebrate that every OT has areas of particular interest — the ones they choose to learn about in their own time, follow emerging research on, and develop real expertise in. These passions drive the diversity within our team, and mean that our participants benefit from highly tailored, evidence-informed support.
Sometimes, this means working with more than one OT — and that’s not duplication. It’s targeted care, delivered by professionals with deep knowledge, all working together to support your goals.
Let me walk you through the different OT streams we offer at KEO Care:
Paediatrics
Our paediatric OTs support children and their families to build the foundations for lifelong skills. Whether it’s developing motor coordination, social skills, sensory regulation, or creating routines at home or school, our therapists’ partner with families to create fun, engaging, and meaningful goals.
We understand that kids don’t grow in isolation — they grow within relationships, routines, and communities — and our OTs work holistically to support all of that.
Assistive Technology (AT)
Assistive technology can be a game-changer for independence. Our AT OTs are trained to assess, trial, and prescribe everything from basic aids (like shower chairs or pressure cushions) to complex systems (like powered wheelchairs, custom seating, or smart home technology). Navigating the NDIS process for AT can be complex, and our team is skilled at preparing the clinical reasoning and documentation to get the right supports approved.
Home and Vehicle Modifications
When your environment works with you — not against you — daily life becomes more enjoyable. Our modifications team specialises in assessing homes and vehicles for safety, accessibility, and independence. This might include recommending grab rails, ramps, bathroom redesigns, or vehicle hoists and wheelchair access conversions.
We work closely with builders, engineers, and the NDIS to ensure modifications are functional, appropriate, and sustainable — always putting the participant’s needs first.
Housing Assessments
Finding the right housing solution can make all the difference to someone’s quality of life. Our housing assessment OTs support participants to explore housing options that suit their goals, needs, and funding eligibility. This might involve SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation), SIL (Supported Independent Living), ILO (Individualised Living Options), or private rentals with support.
We take the time to understand what matters most — community, culture, independence — and advocate for housing that truly feels like home.
Skill Development
Life skills are key to independence. Our adult-focused OTs work with participants to build practical abilities across daily living, community access, work readiness, executive functioning, and more. Whether it’s cooking a meal, budgeting, or using public transport, we work side-by-side with participants to build confidence, capability, and autonomy.
Skill development isn’t just about doing — it’s about becoming. And we love walking that journey alongside the people we support.
Skill Development
Life skills are key to independence. Our adult-focused OTs work with participants to build practical abilities across daily living, community access, work readiness, executive functioning, and more. Whether it’s cooking a meal, budgeting, or using public transport, we work side-by-side with participants to build confidence, capability, and autonomy.
Skill development isn’t just about doing — it’s about becoming. And we love walking that journey alongside the people we support.
Psychosocial OT
For participants living with mental health challenges, our psychosocial OTs bring a trauma-informed, recovery-oriented approach. We support emotional regulation, coping strategies, routine-building, and re-engagement in meaningful life roles — all while keeping the participant’s values and choices front and centre.
Psychosocial OT is about restoring hope, building capacity, and creating structured, supportive pathways toward a more empowered life.
Why might you see more than one OT at KEO Care?
Because your needs might be complex — and your goals might span multiple areas. You might be working with:
- A paediatric OT for your child’s development
- An AT OT for trialling a seating system
- A home mods OT for bathroom accessibility
- A psychosocial OT for mental health and capacity building
Rather than a one-size-fits-all model, KEO Care gives you access to a whole team of experienced, specialised therapists who collaborate to ensure the best outcomes. Each brings deep knowledge in their stream, so you’re always getting the right support at the right time.
As a referrer — whether you’re a support coordinator, allied health professional, or family member — you want to know that the people you’re supporting are in good hands. At KEO Care, that’s exactly what we aim to provide: care that is consistent, expert, and genuinely participant-led.
Even after all these years in practice, I remain inspired by the depth and variety of what OT can do — and the impact it has. Our stream-based model isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about excellence.
If you’d like to learn more about how our OT streams can support your clients, we’re always here to chat.
About the author
Siana Heath is a Clinical Services Manager and Paediatric OT at KEO. With over 15 years of experience in clinical practice, Siana is responsible for supporting a number of the clinical teams with a focus on the paediatric supports we provide at KEO.
Siana enjoys working as part of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams at KEO. She has a passion for life long learning and loves both accessing and providing ongoing clinical education. Siana’s approach to practice is collaborative and strengths based, so she is always keen to work with the team to reflect and transform so we can achieve best outcomes for everyone we work with.
