Celebrating ‘connection’ this Occupational Therapy Week

In recognition of Occupational Therapy (OT) Week hosted from 21 – 27 October, communities across the nation are coming together to celebrate the theme of “connection” and the vital role Occupational Therapists play in everyday lives of Australians.

According to the OT Board of Australia, as of 30 June 2024, there are over 32,000 registered occupational therapists in Australia and around 26% of those are in Victoria.

At Aruma, we have a team of occupational therapists based at Bundoora and Bayswater in Melbourne, Victoria, who work with children and families on their unique needs around learning new skills, home modifications and assistive technology.

“Our Occupational Therapists may help kids gain independence in everyday tasks, such as grasping and releasing toys, hand-eye coordination, using cutlery, getting dressed, and dealing with strong emotions. They can also look at what equipment a child might need such as a wheelchair or other aids,” said Aruma’s Manager of Therapeutic Supports, Bessie Loo.

Bessie Loo has a background in OT, and before joining Aruma, she had started her own practice in Malaysia. Prior to that, she had been working in the hospital system in Singapore and the US for eight years.

“Occupational therapy is so important because it is wholistic in nature. It views the individual as a whole person—integrating physical, emotional, cognitive, and social aspects—rather than focusing solely on symptoms or impairment.”

“I interpret the theme “connection” to highlight the importance of building connections. OT builds connections on multiple levels—between the therapist and the client, the client and their environment, and among the client’s support systems. These connections are foundational to helping individuals achieve meaningful participation in daily activities and improving their quality of life.”

The Aruma team in Victoria offer OT as part of their services in Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) which are aimed at not only children with disability, but also children who are showing signs of developmental delay.

“We offer a transdisciplinary approach and use a Lead Practitioner model to make sure children have access to a team of tailored supports, including speech therapy, occupational therapy and other allied health services they might need. The Lead Practitioner is a skilled professional in the area that the family want to focus on,” said Bessie.

The team at Bayswater and Bundoora in Victoria currently have capacity to take on new children and families for Occupational Therapy.

Aruma also offers occupational therapy for children in Northern, Western and New England regions of New South Wales as well as in Brisbane, Queensland. Contact the team today on 1300 538 746 or enquiries@aruma.com.au to see how they can help.