NDIS Reports and Supporting Evidence: What Information Should an Occupational Therapy Report Include?
Clear and relevant evidence is important when explaining how disability affects a person's everyday life. An occupational therapy report can provide functional information about daily activities, participation, safety, independence and support requirements.
At Walnut Occupational Therapy, reports are developed around the person's functional needs and goals rather than simply describing a diagnosis.
What is an occupational therapy report?
An occupational therapy report is a professional document that records assessment findings, functional observations, clinical reasoning and recommendations.
What should functional evidence explain?
Useful evidence should help the reader understand what the person can do, what they cannot do independently, what assistance they require and how disability affects everyday participation.
Areas commonly documented
- Communication
- Learning
- Mobility
- Self-care
- Self-management
- Social interaction
- Daily living activities
- Community participation
- Safety
- Assistive technology needs
- Environmental barriers
Why examples matter
Generic statements often do not fully explain functional impact. Specific examples can provide clearer context.
For example, rather than simply saying someone has difficulty preparing meals, useful functional information may describe what part of meal preparation is difficult, what assistance is required, how frequently assistance is needed and what barriers contribute to the difficulty.
Occupational therapy recommendations
Recommendations should be connected to identified functional needs. Depending on the participant's circumstances, recommendations may relate to therapy, assistive technology, equipment, environmental changes or other supports.
Who can provide supporting evidence?
The NDIS may consider evidence from relevant health professionals and other people who have meaningful knowledge of the person's functional circumstances, depending on the purpose of the evidence.
How Walnut OT approaches reports
Walnut Occupational Therapy aims to produce clear, clinically reasoned documentation that helps explain the relationship between disability, functional performance, everyday barriers and recommended supports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an OT report guarantee NDIS funding?
No. An occupational therapy report provides evidence and recommendations but does not guarantee a particular funding outcome.
What should I include before my OT assessment?
Bring relevant existing reports, information about current supports, personal goals and examples of activities that are difficult in everyday life.
Can an OT report support an NDIS planning process?
Depending on the person's circumstances, occupational therapy evidence can help document functional capacity and support requirements.