Occupational Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis

Occupational therapy for multiple sclerosis is a specialised health service that helps people living with MS maintain independence and manage the daily impacts of their condition. A registered occupational therapist works with you to identify challenges in everyday activities such as self-care, household tasks, work, and community participation. Therapy focuses on developing practical strategies, recommending assistive equipment, and adapting your environment to support your goals and quality of life as your needs change over time.

Fatigue is one of the most common and disabling symptoms of multiple sclerosis, and occupational therapy plays a key role in managing it. Your occupational therapist can teach you energy conservation techniques, help you restructure daily routines to balance activity and rest, and recommend adaptive equipment that reduces physical effort during tasks. Strategies may include activity pacing, task simplification, and environmental modifications that make your home and workspace more efficient. The goal is to help you stay active and engaged while managing your energy levels effectively.

Yes, occupational therapy for multiple sclerosis is commonly funded through NDIS plans under the Capacity Building Supports category, specifically Improved Daily Living. Funding can cover assessments, therapy sessions, assistive technology recommendations, home modification reports, and equipment trials. The amount of funding available depends on your individual plan goals and support needs. Our team can help you understand how your NDIS funding applies to OT services and ensure we work within your plan budget.

Sessions are practical and tailored to your specific goals. Your occupational therapist will begin by understanding your current challenges, strengths, and priorities. From there, sessions may involve practising strategies for daily tasks, trialling assistive equipment, assessing your home for modifications, working on hand and upper limb exercises, or developing fatigue management plans. Because Astrad provides mobile occupational therapy, sessions are delivered in your home or community setting where you actually carry out daily activities, making the support directly relevant to your life.

Yes, hand and upper limb function is a common focus of occupational therapy for people with multiple sclerosis. Your occupational therapist can provide exercises and activities to maintain or improve grip strength, fine motor coordination, and dexterity. They may also recommend adaptive equipment such as modified utensils, jar openers, or button hooks to support independence with tasks like cooking, dressing, and writing. If your hand function changes over time, your therapist can adjust strategies and equipment recommendations to match your current abilities.

Mobile occupational therapy means our registered occupational therapists come to you rather than you travelling to a clinic. This is particularly beneficial for people with MS who may experience fatigue, mobility limitations, or heat sensitivity that makes travelling to appointments difficult. Sessions are delivered in your home, workplace, or community setting, allowing your therapist to observe and address real challenges in the environments where you live and carry out daily activities. Astrad provides mobile occupational therapy across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania.

Getting started is straightforward. You can book an initial assessment directly through our website or by calling our team. No GP referral is required, though we accept referrals from GPs, neurologists, support coordinators, and other health professionals. At the initial assessment, your occupational therapist will discuss your goals, assess your current abilities and home environment, and develop a tailored therapy plan. We work with NDIS participants, as well as people accessing private funding, to ensure support is available for everyone who needs it.