At The Potential Ability Group (TPAG) we have a focus on working with individuals and families within their local community. Our therapy service is community based, meaning we travel across regional and southern metropolitan areas of South Australia to the clients and families where we provide therapy sessions. We are proud to offer services in regional and rural areas of the state from Kangaroo Island, to Marion, across to Strathalbyn, Adelaide Hills, Riverland, Mallee and Coorong districts.
As Occupational Therapists we are interested in completing assessments, interventions and providing therapy and supports in the purposeful environment of the individual, that is, the context of our client’s daily life. This means our days involve travelling to see our client’s in their everyday environment, including at home, school, kindergarten, childcare and other settings.
Communities and environments can help or hinder people in their engagement in day to day tasks. Community refers to a ‘person’s natural environment’, so where they work, play, learn, laugh and perform all daily activities. The community plays a part in defining their lives and OT’s are concerned with how individuals engage and participate in occupation within these environments, with the purpose of helping client’s grow and succeed in their natural settings. In addition, we can better advocate for our clients, build the capacity of support staff and complete assessments/therapy in their familiar environment, and that can make it easier to generalise and transfer skills across daily occupations.
The OT’s at TPAG work within certain geographical service areas, which sees them becoming well known within these local areas and helps our OT’s build long term connections with local networks, and the communities. Travelling to meet our client’s also means that it is easier to fit therapy time into their family’s day and requirements.
Due to working in remote locations and ensuring we meet our client’s in their own environments, our OT’s don’t see the entire team on a regular basis. Owing to this The Potential Ability Group has built a strong team culture to ensure we can support each other through difficult and challenging times, even from afar. This is particularly beneficial in the more rural areas where it is common and often necessary for allied health staff to work autonomously.
The practice is run electronically and you may notice our OT’s always carry a computer or tablet device to complete assessments, notes and follow up. This allows us to quickly and easily share information as needed to the Admin team who could be working up to four hours away from the OT.
The OT’s cars are full with assessment tools, books, play equipment and games. We have everything but the kitchen sink, from playdough to exercise size balls and everything in between. We have a pool of shared equipment that we draw on for use to develop effective therapy plans.
The way the OT team work at The Potential Ability Group means we can reach you far and wide. It is a very fulfilling and enjoyable roll that stretches us to be the best version of ourselves in clinical practice. Most of our OT’s are from, or have significant connections with the regions they work in, and it makes us very proud to provide an equitable service in these areas. We take pride in ensuring that therapy is effective, fun and enjoyable.
We look forward to seeing you on the road!