Blogs

Blog

Take a look at our latest blog posts

Our staff love sharing knowledge. Check out the below blogs written by our staff on some interesting and engaging topics.

You can also visit Research and Publications to learn more about research studies our staff are conducting and read some of their published journal articles.

To learn more about our staff, visit Our Expertise.

Minimising Vicarious Trauma – Support and Supervision Concept

Minimising The Impact Of Vicarious Trauma As Supervisors

What is Vicarious Trauma? Vicarious trauma is the emotional and psychological impact experienced by those in helping professions as a result of exposure to their clients’ traumatic experiences. It is typically experienced as a state of exhaustion and dysfunction, biologically, physiologically and emotionally, as a result of prolonged exposure to compassion stress. The risk of developing vicarious trauma

Dr Joyce Man 12 August 2025

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria – Understanding Emotional Responses

What Is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)?

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) refers to an extreme emotional sensitivity and intense physical or emotional pain triggered by perceived or actual rejection, criticism, or failure. This reaction can occur in response to anticipated, perceived, or actual social rejection, leading to overwhelming emotional distress that goes far beyond typical feelings of disappointment

Dr Joyce Man 11 August 2025

Inclusive emplyment and ORS

ORS Awarded 12 Specialist Mental Health Contracts Under Inclusive Employment Australia

ORS is excited to announce that we have been awarded 12 Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) specialist mental health contracts, delivering services across 15 sites in New South Wales, Western Australia, the ACT, and Victoria. With over 30 years of experience supporting individuals with disabilities, injuries, and mental health conditions through

Dr Vanessa Parletta 2 August 2025

ai-in-allied-health

AI for Good: Empowering People, Enhancing Care

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare globally, promising new ways to improve outcomes, streamline processes, and redefine how care is delivered. Here at ORS, we are proud to be at the forefront of this evolution with our own internal large language model chatbot, ORSON. What sets ORSON apart is

Chris Barnett 21 July 2025

fresh-food-recommended-by-dietitian-for-diabetes

A Dietitians Top Tips for Eating Well with Diabetes

Diabetes Australia is encouraging Australians to support the campaign and raise awareness about diabetes during this week. The goal is to work towards a future where diabetes can do no harm. Managing diabetes effectively involves adopting a well-rounded lifestyle that supports long-term health. Nutrition plays a vital role in this, but combining

Nicole Saliba 15 July 2025

medicare-dietetics-launch-blog

Dietitian Services Now Available With Medicare

We hope this will help make talking to a dietitian more accessible for you. You don’t have to wait any longer or for your body to get really sick before seeing a dietitian. Come talk to us today! We love to hear from you and how we can improve you

Erene Thong 14 July 2025

medicare-blog-header

The Benefits of Seeing a Psychologist Through Medicare

In today’s fast-paced world, looking after your mental health is more important than ever. With 1 in 5 Australians reporting mental health issues each year, it’s clear that support is needed. However, the rising costs of living, long wait times, and a shortage of psychologists often make access to psychological care challenging.

Sarah Stewart 25 June 2025

how medicare's eating disorder can help2

How Medicare’s Eating Disorder Care Plan Can Help You

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect both the mind and body. In Australia, the number of people experiencing eating disorders continues to rise—especially among young people. Fortunately, support is available through Medicare’s Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan, which provides subsidised access to psychologists and dietitians. In

Erene Thong 20 June 2025

dietitians-week-webp

Celebrating World Dietitians Week: Disability and NDIS

Every year, World Dietitians Week is a time to shine a spotlight on the incredible contributions of dietitians in improving health and well-being. ORS is proud to join this celebration by recognising the important work of our dietitians in disability support and NDIS-funded care. What is Dietetics? Dietetics is a specialised field that takes a

Meher Vatvani 16 June 2025

seasonal-affective-disorder-image-with-brainsplit3

Combating the Winter Blues: Seasonal Affective Disorder

With the cooler weather creeping in and the days becoming shorter, there’s no denying that winter is coming. While the idea of jet-setting off to a tropical island sounds great in theory, realistically, most of us are bundling up, reaching for cozy sweaters, and preparing to embrace the season at

Ashleigh Redpath 28 May 2025

world-parkinsons-day1webp

How ORS Dietitians Support People with Parkinson’s Disease

Every year on April 11th, the world comes together to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease—a progressive neurological condition that affects movement, coordination, and overall quality of life. World Parkinson’s Day 2025 is an important opportunity to highlight the role of healthcare professionals, including dietitians at ORS, in supporting individuals with

Meher Vatvani 14 April 2025

hoarding-disorder2

More Than a Mess: Understanding Hoarding Disorder

“Lazy”, “Disorganised”, “Messy”. These are some of the words you might think if I asked you to describe hoarding. TV shows like “Hoarders” may come to mind, or your friend that has one too many pop culture figurines. Hoarding is more than just a mess, more than a reality TV

Torrey Laidler 8 April 2025

autism-awareness-day-infinity-loop

World Autism Understanding Day: Stereotypes & Realities

Neurodiversity 101: My Unexpected Crash Course Forget everything you think you know about autism – this isn’t a tale of limitation, but a raw, unfiltered journey of love, curiosity, and profound understanding. When 49% of Australians report having a limited understanding of autism, I used to count myself among the

Georgia Cunningham 2 April 2025

paper-human-head-with-the-word-bipolar

Debunking Bipolar Myths & Stereotypes

Debunking Top Myths and Stereotypes 1. “Bipolar Type 1 is more severe than Bipolar Type 2.” This myth is often confused by the differences in duration and intensity of the mood swings. Bipolar 1 is probably the Type that instantly comes to mind when we discuss Bipolarity, which happens in

Mats Thoresen 30 March 2025

enjoying-mediterranean-cuisine-at-outdoor-picnic (2)

Endometriosis and Eating Well: Best Foods for Symptom Relief

What is Endometriosis? Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the female reproductive system, which causes tissue similar to the lining of the womb to grow in different parts of the body, usually in the pelvis area including the pelvic wall, ovaries, bladder and bowel. Approximately one million Australian girls,

Erene Thong 26 March 2025

Larry-and-Camilla

Speech Pathology: Swallowing Awareness Day

On March 19th, we observe Swallowing Awareness Day — a day dedicated to highlighting the crucial role of swallowing in our daily lives. Just like breathing swallowing is essential to everyday life. Did you know people swallow an estimated 500–700 times a day? This includes around three times an hour

Camilla Lukeman 18 March 2025

family-at-picnic-eating-healthy-and-playing-with-ball

Wellness Tips: Diet & Exercise for Autism Spectrum Disorder

As a parent or caregiver of someone with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), you want the best for their health and well-being. While behavioural therapies are essential, did you know that diet and exercise can also play a crucial role in enhancing their quality of life? At ORS we recognise it’s

Chris Barnett 17 March 2025

hands clasped palliative care

Improving Quality of Life Through End-Of-Life Palliative Care

Trigger Warning: Suicide, end of life and death are discussed below. Seneca the Younger, an Ancient Roman Philospher described the anguish of a dying person 2000 years ago: “Who is there in all the world who listens to us? Here I am, this is me in my nakedness, with my

Katie Southwell 13 March 2025

brain-awareness-blog-hero

Brain Health: Celebrating Brain Science!

The human brain is a complex organ and essential to everything we do in day-to-day life. Growing research and exciting advancements in Medicine and Neuroscience the past 30 years have enabled us to better understand how our brain is affected by genes, our environment and lifestyle choices. Brain Awareness Week is

Mats Thoresen 10 March 2025

Psychologist Georgia Holloway in office smiling at camera

Signs of Undiagnosed Adult ADHD: A Neuroaffirming Approach

What comes to mind when you think about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? For many, ADHD is thought about as something that primarily affects children and young people. You might think of a peer from school who struggled to sit still in class or frequently forgot their homework. However, we know that

Georgia Holloway 26 February 2025

dt-blog-header

Gut Health: How to Keep Your Gut Happy and Healthy

This month is Gut Health month, a time when nutritionists and dietitians promote healthy eating principles that can help people thrive from the inside out. Gut health has been a topic which has gained interest in recent years for good reasons. Nourishing your gut with good nutrition is crucial to

Erene Thong 21 February 2025

Healthy school lunchbox with sandwich, fruit, and nuts – Dietitian’s Guide for Lunchbox Week.

Lunchboxes: A Dietitians Guide for a Healthy Lunchbox

Healthy Lunchbox Week, rolled out by Nutrition Australia, takes place this week from the 9th to the 15th of February and encourages Australian families to whip up some wholesome, nutritious, and delightful lunchboxes. Children typically consume about 30% of their daily food intake during school hours, primarily sourced from their

Nicole Saliba 12 February 2025

centre-of-excellence-raising-supervision-and-development

Centre of Excellence: Raising Supervision and Development

At ORS, we are committed to fostering continuous professional growth and ensuring our clinicians have the support they need to provide the highest quality care. Our PBS Professional Development and Supervision Program are central to this mission. Designed to complement one another, these programs offer a robust framework for skill

Irina Risteska 21 January 2025

Benefits-of-a-Psychological-Capacity-Assessment

Benefits of a Psychological Capacity Assessment

Considering a psychological capacity assessment? For NDIS participants and their supports, experiencing changes in mood, behaviour, or daily functioning can be common, though oftentimes confusing. You may have even noticed changes in memory, ability to complete everyday tasks, or shifts in social interactions. If you have concerns and have sought

Josephine (Josey) Clifton 21 January 2025

preparing-for-back-to-school-a-guide-for-carers-and-parents

Preparing for Back to School: A Guide for Parents and Carers

As we’re heading towards the end of school holidays, it’s time for us carers and parents to think about how we can support our children in transitioning from holiday mode back to learning and routines. While holidays are perfect for letting our children consolidate their learning from the previous school

Laura-Jayne van Alphen 21 January 2025

how-a-dietitian-can-help-your-new-year-resolutions-2025-p2

How a Dietitian can help your New Year Resolutions 2025 Pt.2

Why Choose a Dietitian For Your New Year’s Resolutions? There are many benefits to working with a dietitian to achieve your nutrition-related resolutions: Expert Advice: A dietitians has extensive training in nutrition science and can offer evidence-based recommendations that work. Customised Plans: Your dietitian will create a meal plan tailored

Erene Thong 1 January 2025

how-a-dietitian-can-help-your-new-year-resolutions-2025-pt1

How a Dietitian can help your New Year Resolutions 2025 Pt.1

As we enter a new year, many of us set New Year’s resolutions focused on health and well-being. Whether you aim to eat healthier, lose weight, or manage a health condition like diabetes or PCOS, your success often depends on one key factor: Nutrition. This is where the expertise of

Erene Thong 30 December 2024

a-dietitians-guide-to-guilt-free-christmas-indulgence-pt-2

A Dietitian’s Guide to Guilt-Free Christmas Indulgence Pt 2

The Power of Gratitude: Transforming Your Relationship with Food The gratitude movement has gained popularity as a practice that can improve mental and emotional well-being. However, did you know that gratitude can also play a role in your relationship with food? Practicing gratitude during the holidays helps us shift focus

Erene Thong 18 December 2024

supporting-autism-through-holiday-sensory-challenges

Supporting Autism Through Holiday Sensory Challenges

The Christmas season can be a time of joy and connection, but for individuals with autism, it may also bring heightened sensory and emotional challenges. Bright lights, crowded events, unfamiliar routines, and festive noise can all contribute to sensory overload. By using sensory-friendly strategies, familiar elements, and careful planning, we

Kollette Kuh De Guzman 18 December 2024

christmas.blog.hero.

A Dietitian’s Guide to Guilt-Free Christmas Indulgence Pt.1

As the festive season approaches, Christmas brings with it a time for celebrations, togetherness, and delicious meals and desserts. While the holiday seasons are filled with indulgence and joyful family gatherings, they also present a remarkable opportunity to reflect on how nutrition and dietetics can support our health and wellbeing

Erene Thong 17 December 2024

ai-and-allied-health-the-future-is-now-blog

AI and Allied Health: The future is now!

As allied health providers, at ORS we are passionate about transforming lives, and we achieve this through our exceptional team and innovative approaches such as the use of Artificial Intelligence technology. For those new to the area Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to machines or software that can mimic human intelligence

Chris Barnett 20 November 2024

Young person dealing with anxiety with hand on stack on books

Dealing with HSC Exam Anxiety

Exams can be nerve wrecking for the best us and HSC exams are no exception. Some level of anxiety can be helpful in assisting us to perform at our optimum but too much can become debilitating. It can seem like this is crunch time for all your hard work over the

Dr Joyce Man 13 November 2024

fussy-eating-blog-NEW-webp

Fussy Eating in Children – A Dietitians Perspective

As dietitians, we often meet parents who worry about their child being a fussy eater. They are concerned about their child rejecting food. Many parents face challenges when it comes to feeding their children, especially when picky eating habits take over. You are not alone! In this blog post, we

Meher Vatvani 11 November 2024

Cover for Women with ADHD during Perimenopausal period

Unmasking ADHD in the Perimenopausal Period

ADHD in Females Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common condition that affects how the brain works. It is often inherited and impacts key brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, which are known as “happy chemicals.” People with ADHD have a different brain structure. This is especially true for the prefrontal

Sarah Stewart 6 November 2024

Woman using VR headset to interact with virtual butterflies – ORS Occupational Therapy innovation.

How are ORS Occupational Therapists Innovating?

Meet Sabrina Sabrina, a young woman with Down syndrome, has always been full of life, with a love for singing and dancing. However, behind the joy, Sabrina had struggled with sleep for years. Traditional methods, like bedtime routines and relaxation techniques, left Sabrina feeling frustrated and disconnected from the restful

Chen Hwa (Jerome) Choo 23 October 2024

ORS dietitian slicing watermelon in a kitchen – exploring the role of food in wellbeing.

Exploring the significance of food with a dietitian

During National Nutrition Week, we explore the four pillars of how food affects us. These pillars include our physical, social, cultural, and emotional well-being. We also share helpful tips from our dietitians who support NDIS and private participants. What does food really mean to us? Food is a vital component

Erene Thong 17 October 2024

Neurodiversity-in-the-Workplace-Blog

World Mental Health Day: Supporting Neurodiversity in the Workplace

As a long-standing provider of disability employment services and a national NDIS allied health provider, ORS has supported a large neurodiverse client base in obtaining and maintaining suitable employment.

Sarah Stewart 10 October 2024

PCOS-Blog

What is PCOS and how to manage it

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal condition to affects women. In this month’s blog, our resident women’s health dietitian Nicole Saliba from our Eatsense by ORS clinic unpacks what PCOS is and what role diet and lifestyle plans play in managing the condition. What is PCOS? Polycystic

Nicole Saliba 30 September 2024

assessments-blog-1920x1080

Understanding the Benefit of Psychological Assessments

Identifying and supporting individuals with mental health challenges and neurodevelopmental disorders early is a core priority for improving mental health and wellbeing outcomes for Australians. Mental health and wellbeing issues for Australians are much more common than many people think, with experiencing a mental disorder at some point in their life

Sarah Stewart 24 September 2024

ECS-1920x1080 copy

Essential Roles for Early Childhood Education

Today is a wonderful opportunity, as we celebrate Early Childhood Educators Day, to acknowledge and celebrate the critical role that early childhood educators play in shaping the lives of our youngest learners. As both a speech pathologist and a mother to a 3-year-old autistic boy who attends daycare four days

Georgia Cunningham 5 September 2024

How-does-physical-health-affect-psychological-health

How Does Physical Health Affect Psychological Health?

Ask anyone with depression how their body feels, and they’ll probably mention something about aches and pains. In addition to chronic joint pain, they may also suffer from gastrointestinal problems, tiredness, and appetite changes. As it turns out, both the depression and their bodily aches may connect to one another. There

Georgia Holloway 12 August 2024

how-to-positive-behaviour-support-practitioner

How to Become a Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner

In Australia, 42.9% of people have experienced a mental health disorder at some point in their life. A mental health disorder often impacts a person’s cognition, behaviour, and emotion regulation. Sometimes a person’s behaviour can become concerning. For example, when they engage in aggression, self-injury, or even running away from

Dr Carmen Atkinson 12 June 2024

A selection of healthy foods that can assist with symptoms of IBD

Let’s #FlushTheStigma around Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

May is Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month. Let’s #FlushTheStigma around Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) this May. It takes guts to talk about Crohn’s and colitis. Crohn’s and colitis impact Australians at all ages and stages of life. More than 100,000 – or 1 in every 250 Australians – live with

Nicole Saliba 21 May 2024

What is positive behaviour support

What is Positive Behaviour Support?

Positive behaviour support (PBS) is a compassionate and scientific approach aimed at helping individuals with challenging behaviours, focusing on understanding the person’s strengths and triggers to promote a positive change. The purpose of PBS is simple yet profound: to improve the quality of life for individuals by understanding and addressing

Dr Carmen Atkinson 15 May 2024

Psychologist Training Board-approved Refresher Courses

How to help advance your Psychology Career

To maintain Board-approved supervisor status, psychologists must undergo refresher training every five years by completing a Board-approved master class. ORS’ competency-based workshop entails at least six hours of direct/live training.

Dr Joyce Man 26 April 2024

Top Tips for Eating for a Healthy Mood and Optimal Mental Health

Top Tips for Eating for a Healthy Mood and Optimal Mental Health

With 1 in 5 Australians living with poor mental health better access to Accredited Practising Dietitians is needed to deliver important dietary support. Dietitians are an important part of your mental health team and studies show that seeking mental health support from a dietitian can lead to

Nicole Saliba 12 April 2024

LGBTQ+ Community with Flags

Everyone is Welcome: Improving Accessibility for LGBTQ+ individuals with a disability

What are the key ingredients to being successful in keeping resolutions? The LGBTQ+ community is a diverse group of individuals who may differ not only on their sexual and romantic orientation or gender identity. For instance, individuals who are transgender and gender-diverse are 3-6 times more likely to be autistic

Dr Joyce Man 1 March 2024

Enhancing-Quality-in-Disability-Allied-Health-Services--The-ISO-9001-Roadmap

Enhancing Quality in Disability Allied Health Services: The ISO 9001 Roadmap

The Need for Quality Management in Disability Allied Health Services The disability-allied health sector in Australia, particularly within the context of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), confronts a myriad of unique challenges that underline the imperative need for robust quality management systems. Central to these challenges are the diverse and

Marko Bajic 1 March 2024

Gut-Health-Blog-ORS

Top tips for optimising your gut health

The health of your gut not only impacts how you feel physically but also mentally. In fact, your gut is a gateway to your overall health. It is safe to say most Australians do not have great gut health with at least 50% experiencing unpleasant gut symptoms such as bloating,

Nicole Saliba 26 February 2024

Five-new-years-resolutions-worth-making-in-2024-1-2

Five new year’s resolutions worth making in 2024

As the new year rolls in, so too do the unrealistic New Year’s resolutions we promise we are going to keep, whether it be losing an unrealistic amount of weight, completely cutting out a food group or committing to hitting the gym every single day of the year. While nearly

Nicole Saliba 26 February 2024

sarahs-tips-blog-dec-2023

Tips for Prioritising Wellbeing and finding a balance in the holiday season

With Christmas and New Years impending after a challenging 2024, increased pressure and stress that extends above and beyond a typical holiday period is being felt by many. Prioritising well-being and finding a balance that suits you can feel impossible, but it doesn’t have to be. There are many ways

Sarah Stewart 26 February 2024

How-to-prioritise-your-health-during-the-silly-season-blog-cover-2023

How to prioritise your health during the silly season

The opportunities to overindulge and let your exercise slide are endless during this time of the year. If you have historically found it difficult to maintain your weight or eat well in general over the Christmas period then below are some helpful tips to limit overindulging and also keep you

Nicole Saliba 25 February 2024

Silhouette of a person wearing a cape at sunset.

Early Career Psychologists: Combatting Stress and Embracing Self-Care as a Superpower

The timeliness of International Stress Awareness Day 2023 coinciding with Psychology Week 2023, and notably the latter’s theme “Make Self-Care Your New Superpower”, takes on profound significance in the field of psychology, particularly in the current climate. The landscape of mental health services is evolving rapidly, driven by the challenges

Sarah Stewart 25 February 2024

Nutrition-Week-Blog-1920x1080-1

‘Try for 5’: Simple tips to boost your vegetable intake

Life’s complicated enough – so let’s ‘Try for 5’ and make eating vegetables easy Vegetables are a key part of our diet for good health and wellbeing. Despite this, only 9% of Australian adults and children are eating the recommended daily 5 serves of vegetables. Every year, Nutrition Australia runs

Erene Thong 19 February 2024

Management-Success

7 Keys to Unlock Quality Management Success with ISO 9001

The International Organisation for Standardisation’s ISO 9001 standard has become the globally recognised framework for quality management systems. First published in 1987, ISO 9001 has undergone several revisions, evolving from a prescriptive checklist to a risk-based, flexible system for managing quality. With over 1 million certifications worldwide, ISO 9001 adoption

Marko Bajic 14 November 2023

ISO 9001: Checklist 1. Quality 2. Management 3. System

ISO 9001: Your Key to Operational Excellence

What is ISO 9001? ISO 9001 is an international standard that outlines the requirements for a quality management system (QMS). It provides a model for companies to follow to meet customer quality and regulatory requirements for their products and services. ISO 9001 is part of the more prominent ISO 9000 standards

Marko Bajic 3 November 2023

dietitian and participant reviewing recommendations

What does a disability dietitian do?

Understanding the Role A disability dietitian is a specialised healthcare professional who has in-depth knowledge of nutrition and its impact on individuals with disabilities. Living with a disability comes with many challenges including various nutrition issues. Early intervention with a dietitian can help prevent and manage these issues. Dietitians do

Erene Thong 14 September 2023

Embracing-Neurodiversity-by-Georgia-Holloway

Embracing Neurodiversity: Assessing Autism

Welcome to our inclusive space, where we celebrate neurodiversity. Understanding the significance of autism assessments and the support they offer neurodivergent individuals on the path of self-discovery can be transformative, yet the process and benefits might not always be clear. Whether you’re navigating the world of autism assessments for yourself

Georgia Holloway 11 September 2023

‘Eat-better-resolutions

New Year’s ‘eat better’ resolutions

With all the gifts exchanged and opened, Christmas and end-of-year parties, and all the reflecting done and dusted, it’s now the time of the year when we all sober up, take out our thinking caps and pen to write down, or type out our eat better resolutions. Like most Australians

Erene Thong 2 January 2023

Trans-Week-blog-1920x1080-blog

Trans Awareness Week

Today we celebrate the start of Transgender Awareness Week!

This is a week to highlight transgender people and their allies taking action to bring attention to the community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.

Dr Joyce Man 14 November 2022

WBD-1920x1080-copy

Debunking myths around Bipolar Disorder

In Australia, bipolar disorder affects one in 50 people each year. This rate is higher than the rate of all forms of cancer combined which affect one in 250 people and depressive disorders which affect one in 20 people. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition which

Dr Joyce Man 30 March 2022

Common-questions-about-Rehabilitation-1920x1080-1-e1642719759543

Common questions about Rehabilitation

What can you do if your treating doctor tells you that you can never return to employment, or tells you that at this time employment is not a safe or suitable option for you? First it is important to understand that vocational rehabilitation is an emerging science and not all

Dr Geoff Waghorn 9 February 2022

Dealing-with-Loneliness-during-the-Festive-Season-1920x1080-1-e1640231799868

Dealing with Loneliness during the Festive Season

As humans, we are conditioned to seek social connection with others. A sense of social belonging is not only something most people seek in their lives, but an innate drive. The holiday season can be a particularly challenging time for some given this is usually spent gathering with family and

Dr Joyce Man 23 December 2021

Workplace-Bullying-1920x1080-1-e1638224407483

Workplace Bullying: How Psychology Can Help

According to the Fair Work Commission, Australia, bullying in the workplace happens when: A person or group of people repeatedly behave unreasonably towards another worker or group of workers The behaviour creates a risk to health and safety. Examples of bullying include: Behaving aggressively towards others, teasing or playing practical

Dr Julie Hepworth 30 November 2021

OT-Week-1920x1080-1-e1635381550194

Participation. Inclusion. Independence.

Participation – Inclusion – Independence – such powerful words, and the theme for this year’s National OT Week. As OTs working with NDIS participants, we often achieve big outcomes, through home modifications and complex assistive technology, which are wonderful achievements. Whilst a stair lifter, scripted wheelchair, and accessible bathrooms are

George Tyler 28 October 2021

Breast-Cancer-Awareness-1920x1080-1-e1634708008578

Caring for Someone with Cancer, Caring for Yourself

Every day in Australia, around 65 women are told they have breast or a gynaecological cancer (Cancer Council, 2021). The Cancer Council’s Pink Ribbon campaign raises awareness about these cancers, cancer prevention and research, and importantly, support services. Supporting carers of someone with cancer is vitally important, not least because

Dr Julie Hepworth 20 October 2021

Dr-Julie-Lockdown-1920x1080-1-e1634010186144

Re-emerging from lockdown: Courage, calm and compassion

For now, COVID-19 is sticking around, and with Australia “living with the virus” and re-emerging from lockdown, what implications are there for individuals transitioning back to work and school? Courage Due to reduced social interaction during COVID-19 lockdown – in person – for many, those skills need to be

Dr Julie Hepworth 12 October 2021

Female factory worker operating machine

Common questions about Rehabilitation: Part 4

What if I have difficulty getting on with my rehabilitation consultant? Mutual respect and a sense of partnership can help a vocational rehabilitation plan become successful. This is also called a rehabilitation alliance. If you think this alliance could be better, it is important to try and identify why you

Dr Geoff Waghorn 24 May 2021

Business people planning strategy analysis office concept

Common questions about Rehabilitation: Part 3

Will I be able to choose the type of jobs that I attempt, or choose the location of the jobs or the hours that I work? Yes. It is most important that your job preferences are acknowledged and respected. You can help by being as clear as you can about

Dr Geoff Waghorn 12 April 2021

ORS-Workplace-Rehabilitation-and-Health-Hero-BLOG

Common questions about Rehabilitation: Part 2

What are my rights if I agree to participate in vocational rehabilitation? Although your rights may not be explicitly stated it is now generally accepted that vocational rehabilitation ought to be delivered in a ‘tailored and person centred’ way. There is no standard approach that fits everyone. This means that

Dr Geoff Waghorn 27 February 2021

Worker on a automotive spare parts warehouse

Common questions about Rehabilitation: Part 1

People who need help with employment following a serious injury, health condition, disability, or adverse event, may be offered assistance to return to meaningful employment. This assistance is often called ‘vocational rehabilitation’, or sometimes ‘occupational rehabilitation’. The term rehabilitation can also refer to other forms of medical rehabilitation (physiotherapy,

Dr Geoff Waghorn 27 February 2021