Question 1

Does my child need a referral?

Accepted Answer

No, a formal medical or specialist referral is not required to access our services. You can contact us directly to initiate the intake process.

Question 2

Do you have a waiting list and how long is the wait?

Accepted Answer

Our availability fluctuates based on clinician capacity and travel routes. If we cannot accommodate your schedule immediately, you will be given the option to join our waitlist, and we will provide an estimated timeframe based on your needs.

Question 3

How do I book an appointment?

Accepted Answer

You can start by filling out our online intake inquiry form. Once received, our intake team will review your needs and reach out to schedule an initial consultation.

Question 4

What is the intake and assessment pathway at Planet Ability?

Accepted Answer

Our assessment process is designed to be thorough and clinically accurate, ensuring we truly understand the person behind the data without forcing compliance or masking. Here is our step-by-step pathway for new clients:
Step 1: Parent/Caregiver Initial Consultation The process begins with an initial consultation for parents or caregivers only. This allows for an open, detailed discussion regarding developmental history, NDIS goals, and current support needs. While we are incredibly excited to meet your child, holding this first conversation without them present allows us to speak openly without "little ears" listening in. (Please note: Your completed intake form is strictly required 2 days prior to this session, or we will need to reschedule).
Step 2: Connection & Rapport Building We deeply prioritise the therapeutic relationship. The first meeting with your child is dedicated entirely to building rapport and establishing a felt sense of safety. While formal testing may or may not begin immediately, this "settling-in" period is vital, allowing us to gather essential informal observations while your child feels secure.
Step 3: Real-World Observation & Assessment Once rapport is established, we conduct formal and informal assessments across our community environments. This ensures the data we collect reflects true functional capacity in everyday life, rather than a forced "performance" in an unfamiliar setting.
Step 4: Collaborative Goal Setting We work alongside you, your child, and your support network to ensure our clinical findings align with your family's actual aspirations. We focus on identifying the tools and strategies that facilitate meaningful, joyful participation in daily life.
Step 5: Professional Clinical Reporting Our Occupational Therapists translate these observations into rigorous, professional reports (such as Functional Capacity Assessments). These documents are designed to meet NDIS requirements, providing the high-level clinical evidence needed to advocate for appropriate funding and supports.

When do regular therapy sessions begin? Regular therapy begins as soon as this baseline is established! To clarify, this does not mean it takes 6 sessions just to get started. You can generally expect the initial intake and assessment process to be completed within 1 parent initial consultation and 1 to 3 sessions of observation/assessment with the participant (your clinician will keep you clearly informed of the timeline based on your child's unique needs). Once completed, ongoing therapy sessions begin as normal.

Question 5

How long do clinical reports take?

Accepted Answer

Because our Occupational Therapists translate real-world community observations into rigorous, high-level evidence to advocate for your needs, writing these documents requires dedicated non-face-to-face clinical time.
Our standard turnaround times from the date of the final assessment session or data collection are:
Initial Assessment Report: 2 to 3 weeks
Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA): 4 to 6 weeks
Supported Independent Living (SIL) Assessment: 6 to 8 weeks (due to the extensive complexity and depth of housing evidence required)
NDIS Review / Progress Report: 4 weeks
Letter of Support: 1 to 2 weeks
Tip for Families: To ensure your reports are ready in time for an upcoming NDIS planning meeting or review, please notify your clinician at least 8 weeks before your plan ends. Because Planet Ability does not manage individual funding periods, keeping track of these deadlines falls back on the family, plan manager, or support coordinator so we can schedule the necessary clinical hours.

Question 6

Does my child need OT?

Accepted Answer

Every child develops at their own unique pace, but occupational therapy can be incredibly supportive if daily activities are causing ongoing friction, stress, or exhaustion for your child or your family. You might consider OT if your child experiences challenges with:
Emotional & Sensory Regulation: Frequent meltdowns, difficulty transitions between activities, or feeling easily overwhelmed by sensory environments (like loud noises or certain clothing textures).
Daily Living Skills: Needs support with age-appropriate independence, such as dressing, eating a variety of foods, toileting, or sleep routines.
Fine & Gross Motor Skills: Difficulties with handwriting, using utensils, tying shoelaces, or coordination and balance during play.
Social & Play Engagement: Finding it hard to join in with peers, sharing space, or engaging in play in a way that feels fulfilling to them.
If you notice your child is working twice as hard just to navigate everyday routines, an OT initial assessment can help identify their unique profile and provide tools to make daily life flow more easily.

Question 7

What don't you do? (Scope of Practice)

Accepted Answer

To ensure we provide the absolute highest quality of care, we stick strictly to our clinical areas of expertise. Planet Ability does not provide services for:
Complex Physical Disabilities: We do not specialise in complex physical, neurological, or neuromuscular conditions requiring specialised equipment, mobility housing, or high-needs physical rehabilitation.
Primary Diagnoses of Mental Health Conditions: While we happily support neurodivergent participants who have secondary mental health challenges (like anxiety or depression), we are not a primary mental health or psychiatric clinic. We do not accept Mental Health Care Plans.
Major Home Modifications: We do not design or project-manage structural changes to homes (such as wheelchair ramps, bathroom modifications, or structural lifts).
High-Level Assistive Technology (AT) Assessments: We do not conduct specialised assessments for complex, high-risk assistive technology, such as custom power wheelchairs, complex specialised seating systems, or vehicle modifications.
If your family requires these specific services, we are more than happy to point you in the direction of excellent local specialists who focus on these areas!

Question 8

What happens if I don't feel like it was the right fit/match with the therapist I met with?

Accepted Answer

A therapeutic relationship built on safety, trust, and authentic connection is our absolute highest priority. If you feel a clinician isn't the right match for your family's unique needs or your child's communication style, please let us know. We welcome open, honest feedback and will look at transitioning you to another team member whenever possible, completely free of judgment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does my child need a referral?

Do you have a waiting list and how long is the wait?

How do I book an appointment?

What is the intake and assessment pathway at Planet Ability?

How long do clinical reports take?

Does my child need OT?

What don't you do? (Scope of Practice)

What happens if I don't feel like it was the right fit/match with the therapist I met with?

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