i don't know what would help

[Arches]

can anyone tell me what an Occupational therapist is?

i have seen psychologists in the past but i feel they misdiagnose me. i suspect i am autistic, possibly ADHD as well. 

for years i have felt like formal diagnosis would not help me as i would not qualify for DSP or NDIS, and especially not now that the government has axed 160,000 people from it. my mental health and psychosocial circumstances feel overly complex and "not that bad" at the exact same time. i feel invisible to the system

changes in my material circumstances in the last five years have made me feel Cured, but each time, i was unable to maintain my own stability.

i do feel like i need guidance and support to figure out if i should return to an interstate, remote cleaning job. i don't know where to put my trust or what would meaningfully help. being unemployed and living with my parents takes its toll

[Tolly]

hi @Arches 

It sounds as if there are so many different decisions you are contemplating right now and it sounds as if you are trying to find your way back to feeling independent again. You asked about an occupational therapist definition- as far as I am aware they are a health care professional and part of AHPRA and they access functional limitations and help a person develop skills and abilities around getting back to doing daily activities and "meaningful occupations" 🙂 I hope this helps as it is a bit confusing to fully know all that they do but they can provide help in a different more practical way is my understanding of how they can help us.

[Arches]

i wonder if an Occupational therapist would be a targeted approach to helping me find work... job providers are so unsafe

[Tolly]

@Arches 

I totally understand your hesitancy and lack of trust around job providers. Not sure an OT could do the same role, but they might be able to assist with the skills and getting job search ready and help with the tools needed to search for the right jobs and regaining confidence etc- it would be worth just checking out what they can do for you and if it would be helpful for what you need.

[EV27]

Hey there, I’m an occupational therapist, so I thought I’d jump in.

When we say “occupation,” we don’t just mean jobs (although an OT could totally support you with getting job ready and working out what kind of role you would like!!), we mean anything that occupies your time and gives your life structure or meaning. That includes things like:

• Self‑care (e.g., showering, eating, getting organised)

• Work or study

• Social participation

• Leisure and hobbies

• Daily routines

• Sleep

• Community involvement

Basically, if it’s something you need to do or want to do but are struggling with, that’s our territory.

OTs look at the person, the task, and the environment, and then figure out what’s getting in the way. From there, we help by:

• modifying tasks so they’re more doable

• adjusting the environment to reduce barriers

• building strategies that actually fit your brain

• supporting executive functioning, sensory needs, routines, and energy management

• helping you work toward independence in whatever areas matter to you

We work with people across the lifespan, including lots of folks who are autistic, ADHD, or exploring whether they might be. You absolutely don’t need a formal diagnosis to benefit from OT, many people come to us simply because life feels harder than it should.

If you’re having trouble with work, living at home, or figuring out next steps, an OT can help you break things down, understand what’s going on beneath the surface, and build a plan that feels realistic rather than overwhelming.

Think of us as problem‑solvers who specialise in making everyday life easier!

[Arches]

@EV27 thank you for this. it sounds like this is a real option