New Adventures: Preparing for Term 3, 2023
New Learning and Lifestyle
We have moved house and occupational therapy practice to Wynnum-Manly in the beautiful Brisbane Bayside. This area is familiar to me because I grew up at Cannon Hill and have friends still living in the area. I love walking along the waterfront in the mornings, and meeting up for coffee. Referrals are starting to come in for occupational therapy, music, and community cultural development.
I'm now preparing for Term 3 -- investigating local communities, meeting support coordinators/service providers, and identifying gaps in services. I've circulated my new business cards to GPs and health services to request referrals for Medicare, NDIS and private health. Also, I've been visiting playgrounds, toilets, community garden, and checking out access and mobility. Happy to chat about ideas and plans.
I bulk-bill Medicare for those who live within 30 minutes drive from my home base at Wynnum West--including mental health care plans, and chronic disease management (team care arrangements and/or GP management plans--formerly EPC). I visit people in their own communities (home, school, work). This allows me to observe and support people's functioning in their own environment. Still grappling with NDIS, and negotiating arrangements that work for individuals and families. Can see people through NDIS, private health, corporate funding, and other schemes.
Occupational therapy for me, is about understanding and finding a good-fit between people, their environment, and their lifestyle. Occupations are our everyday roles and ways of operating, even the unpaid ways that we spend our time. It can be important to find a balance between daily living, work, recreation and play for healthy lifestyles. Engagement in meaningful activities is important for mental and physical health. Occupational therapists help to remove barriers and find ways of helping people reach their goals. I see people across the age span and support parents and carers with their important roles.
Occupational Therapy involves:
1. Functional assessment--physical, psycho-social, environmental, community participation;
2. Skill development and building capacity with individuals and groups (modifying methods);
3. Supporting people's participation in activities and roles they want to undertake; goal setting
4. Environmental modifications -- including referrals for home modifications;
5. Assistive equipment -- assessment, trial, prescription, and applications for funding;
6. Education and training; parent/carer support and coaching;
7. Writing programs and plans;
8. Providing consultancy to services and community groups.
Expertise:
I am a Wynnum-Manly-based occupational therapist; very experienced in physical rehabilitation and aged care, mental health, and paediatrics (child health). I have additional skills in vision rehabilitation from working for Vision Australia, Guide Dogs Queensland, QUT Vision Rehabilitation Clinic, and School Vision Impairment Units. In recent years I have been mainly working with autistic children, and children/young adults with ADHD, developmental delays, learning difficulties, social-emotional needs. Individual or group therapy sessions target gross and fine motor skills, visual-perception, and use of sensory modulation. Lately I have used 'Zones of Regulation' curriculum for emotional regulation.
Education and Digital Technologies
Through completing the Graduate Certificate in Education (Digital Learning and Leadership) in 2020, I am inspired to explore new ways of working through LEGO, participation in Maker Spaces in local libraries, and connecting people through innovative projects, and personal learning networks. I am open to new ideas and interested to start after-school community groups with new technologies.
Community Cultural Development (Community Music):
I enjoy partnering with community groups to support local community music development. This has taken me into creative collaborations with Aboriginal corporations, Pipe bands, and the GLAM sector (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums). Some projects include: establishing the Purga Music Museum, and researching/writing the 100 year history of the Ipswich Thistle Pipe Band with grants from Ipswich City Council and Arts Queensland. I have published and shared accounts of some projects online. Read more at https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1770-4656 and my Music Health Australia presentations at https://www.slideshare.net/musichealthaustralia .
If you would like to discuss your needs for therapy or community cultural development, please phone me on mobile 0488 624 362. I'm interested to get to know people from the local area and tailor approaches to this new location. It is exciting to embark on this new journey and exploring with fresh eyes, ears, hands and heart.
Sandra Kirkwood B.Occ.Thy, B.Music, M.Phil, Grad Cert Education (Digital Learning & Leadership)
Occupational Therapist registered with AHPRA
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