Department of Health

Community Health occupational therapy priority tool - paediatric

Key messages

  • The occupational therapy priority tool - paediatric determines a child’s need for occupational therapy and their priority level.
  • Community health occupational therapy services target children with mild or moderate delays.
  • Children with autism, cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities are eligible for early intervention services.

The community health priority tools are part of the department’s program to improve access to community health services.

The paediatric occupational therapy priority tool prioritises children who need to see an occupational therapist. There is a separate tool for adults needing occupational therapy.

Intake workers without a background in occupational therapy

Intake workers without a background in occupational therapy should consult the occupational therapist if they cannot determine the level of priority of service.

Services covered by the tool

Occupational therapy services help children cope with everyday demands. Therapists use normal daily activities in a therapeutic way.

Community health occupational therapy services target children with mild or moderate delays. Children with diagnosed developmental delays (such as autism, cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities) are eligible for early intervention services.

When CHSs should use this tool

CHSs should use the occupational therapy priority tool - paediatric after they have applied the generic priority tool.

Priority categories for this tool

The occupational therapy priority tool - paediatric has three priority categories: high, medium and low. The high priority category includes children with mild or moderate delays who are starting primary school in the next year, who are not attending any school or kindergarten services, or whose parents report a high level of concern.

How the tool works

The occupational therapy priority tool - paediatric collects information about the person, either from the child and/or their parent directly or from referral documentation. The Community health priority tools document clearly explains the three priority categories.

Downloads

Community health priority tools 2009
pdf 325.65 KB

Reviewed 29 May 2015

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