Occupational Therapists (OTs) explore the physical, sensory and cognitive barriers that may affect an individual’s ability to engage in meaningful and independent activities. An OT will typically carry out individualised evaluations to determine underlying challenges and provide customised interventions to improve one’s abilities to care for themselves, perform daily activities, develop meaningful play skills, fine motor skills and to self-regulate.

OT benefits individuals of all ages who need help gaining or re-gaining independence in all areas of life. OT helps in the development of resilience and the ability to concentrate and focus in the classroom and workplace - which in turn helps with social interactions, regulating emotions and reducing challenging behaviours. OT can help children to play constructively, to improve school and daily performance, boost self-esteem and nurture a sense of accomplishment. With adults, OTs can help with job skills training, workplace challenges, and finding and sustaining employment.

Skills Strengthening: OTs help individuals learn skills for everyday activities such as cooking a meal or getting ready for school or work. OTs break down tasks into their smaller, more manageable, parts for the individual to practice and master.

Task Modifying: OTs can modify everyday tasks to provide an appropriate level of challenge for safety and independence.

Managing Sensory Environments: OTs advise on how to modify environments to minimise anxiety for those who are easily overwhelmed by touch, taste, sound, light or social interactions.

Executive Function: OTs help with building executive function such as planning, organisation, time management, working memory, response inhibition, and managing emotions and thoughts in order to function effectively.

As every individual and case is different, therapy sessions will vary depending on the individual’s needs. We offer sessions at school, onsite at our centre, or online through OPConnect. Sessions are typically one hour and include a combination of direct therapy with the child and indirect intervention with parents, caregivers or educators who work with the child.

An Occupational Therapy Assessment typically takes 2 hours, which includes an evaluation and discussions with the client or caregiver. Prior to an assessment, you will need to fill out the OT Pre-Assessment Form. This will provide our therapists with the information they need to perform the best assessment. The assessments that the OT team uses to evaluate challenges in motor and sensory domains include: the BOT-2, Sensory Profile, Sensory Processing Measure, SIPT, Beery-VMI and PDMS-2. The assessment tool will be chosen by the therapist and tailored to the client's needs. After the assessment, a written report will be shared with clients within two weeks. OT Assessments can be performed onsite at our KL centre or online with suitable clients through OPConnect. If you are ready to explore the benefits of occupational therapy for yourself or a loved one, please contact us for an OT Pre-Assessment Form.

After a diagnosis has been made, our occupational therapists will propose intervention and treatment plans based on the individual’s needs and goals. Interventions are evidence-based and are regularly evaluated to ensure they are effective and relevant to the client’s current situation. In a classroom setting, we work with Learning Support teachers to achieve goals in the student's Individual Education Plan (IEP). We also use the Individualised Family Service Plan (IFSP) - a written treatment plan that records a detailed account of the individual’s current level of functioning, as well as specific needs and goals. The IFSP adopts a family-based approach and is a collaborative effort between parents/caregivers and practitioners.

Treatments and techniques we adopt include:

• Wilbarger Protocol & Sensory Diet
• Social Thinking
• DIR / Floortime Model
• The Alert Program : How Does Your Engine Run?
• Executive Function
• Sensory-Motor Skill and Developmental Skill Training
• Motor, Oral, Respiratory and Eye (M.O.R.E)
• Therapeutic Listening

Sensory Integration is used as the key frame of reference in our intervention programmes and refers to our body’s ability to receive, process and organise sensory input which allows us to participate effectively in our daily activities and environments. Sensory integration intervention includes all the senses - visual, auditory (hearing), gustatory (taste), olfactory (smell), tactile (touch), vestibular (balance and movement), prop (body awareness) and interoception (internal body sense).

Yes. OT can help identify any underlying challenges and develop mechanisms to positively impact handwriting. Handwriting skills not only involve foundational fine motor skills such as finger separation, strength and in-hand manipulation skills, it also involves proximal control and stability, visual perception, ocular control and sensory processing. All of these components can be strengthened with OT to improve handwriting.

Some signs of sensory difficulties include:

• Constantly running, jumping, hopping and can’t sit still
• Seeks crashing, bumping and squishing activities
• Afraid of heights or having feet off the ground
• Avoids playground activities or physical activities
• Appears clumsy, loses balance easily or falls frequently
• Has poor muscle control, easily tires or uses an inappropriate amount of force while handling objects (eg when writing or drawing)
• Overly sensitive (avoids input) or under-responsive (seeks more input) to touch, sounds, movements or sight
• Challenged by daily activities such as sleeping, eating, brushing teeth
• Finds it difficult to pay attention or to transition from one activity or place to another

Gym activities are targeted to general fitness and physical activity. Occupational therapy is individualised and underpinned by a sensory integration model. Sensory integration is the process of our bodies receiving, interpreting and organising stimuli from the environment to use in everyday activities. While one’s strength and stamina might also improve with OT, the activities in OT are specifically selected based on the individual’s sensory needs. OT not only facilitates the development of motor coordination skills, muscle strength and physical endurance, but also facilitates self-regulation and the ability to process sensory information to perform everyday tasks effectively.

In Malaysia, Occupational Therapists may have a diploma, degree, masters or PhD in Occupational Therapy. Therapists must be registered with the Allied Health Professions Act in order to practice. Our therapists are registered with Malaysian Occupational Therapy Association and are both locally and internationally trained. Please contact us to find out more about our Occupational Therapists.

A place of love and nurturing, Oasis Place is the heart of change in Malaysia and beyond. We host regular events, workshops and programmes for children, parents, educators and health professionals to help the learning different community grow and thrive. Ready to jump on board? Check out our current and past events here.

Ready to seek help but prefer to do it from home, school or work? OPConnect is your gateway to all the assessments and therapies you need online. All you need is a computer with a camera, a microphone and internet connection. We use a range of videoconferencing applications including WhatsApp, Facetime, Skype and Zoom. You can connect safely and conveniently to all our psychologists and therapists - any time or place that suits you. Sounds good? Reach out to us today. We are here to help.

Oasis Place is Malaysia’s largest multidisciplinary intervention centre specialising in emotional and clinical psychology therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, music therapy and nutritional advice. Our team of experienced psychologists and therapists can assess and treat a range of learning and mental health issues including Autism, ADHD, Asperger's, Dyslexia, Down Syndrome, global developmental delay, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, trauma, stress and more. It’s never too late to seek help. To find out more about how Oasis Place can help you or a loved one, please reach out to us. We are here to help.