SVOT Services

Saya Vaarnela Occupational Therapy (SVOT) provides occupational therapy services for individuals with cognitive, intellectual, and psychosocial disabilities. SVOT’s goal is to support you in developing the skills, strategies, and confidence needed to navigate daily life, build meaningful connections, and achieve your personal goals.

Functional Capacity Assessments

Functional Capacity Assessments (FCAs) are comprehensive assessments to help determine strengths, challenges, and support needs for NDIS planning and goal setting.

SVOT provides person-centred FCAs for NDIS participants through a process of:

  • Interviews with the client and their key supports to gather insights into strengths, challenges, and goals.

  • Observations of the client performing everyday tasks to assess functional abilities in real-life settings, for example, at home or in the community.

  • Standardized assessments to measure the client's specific skills and abilities, which are then compared to a sample group to determine the client’s functional level in relation to the general population.

  • Collaboration with other multidisciplinary professionals and support networks to ensure a holistic understanding of the client’s needs.

  • Comprehensive Reporting that outlines strengths, challenges, and evidence-based recommendations to support NDIS funding and goal planning.

Daily Living & Life Skills Training

Skills training is about developing the strategies, skills, and solutions necessary to help you do what matters most. Whether you're aiming to build confidence in the kitchen, create and stick to healthy routines, or enhance your coping mechanisms, SVOT will design each session to align with your unique goals and aspirations.

Depending on your goals, strengths, and challenges, SVOT Skills Training can help with:

  • Independence in Personal Care & Household Management – Gain practical skills for managing household tasks, self-care routines, and maintaining a safe and organized living space.

  • Building Confidence in Daily Activities – Develop the skills you need to confidently complete tasks like cooking, managing finances, or taking care of personal hygiene.

  • Establishing Healthy Routines – Learn strategies to create structured routines that promote overall well-being, including meal planning, exercise, and time management.

  • Social & Communication Skills – Enhance your ability to engage in social interactions, fostering stronger relationships and community connections.

  • Coping Skills & Emotional Regulation – Improve techniques for managing stress, anxiety, and difficult emotions, helping you navigate everyday challenges.

  • Work-Readiness & Job Skills – Build essential skills to prepare for employment or improve your work performance, including time management, task organization, and social interaction in the workplace.

  • Self-Advocacy & Empowerment – Learn to express your needs, make decisions, and advocate for yourself in various life situations.

  • Organizational & Time Management Skills – Learn how to prioritize tasks, create effective schedules, and manage time in both daily life and work environments.

  • Cognitive & Memory Support – Develop strategies to enhance memory, attention, and cognitive skills to better manage everyday tasks and responsibilities.

  • Stress Management & Relaxation Techniques – Discover and use effective tools for managing stress, promoting relaxation, and improving mental health.

Important Information

Driven by a passion for supporting individuals of all abilities, my experience has led me to specialize in working with adults with cognitive, intellectual, and psychosocial disabilities. This includes working with adults with ASD, ADHD, intellectual disability, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, hoarding disorder, and personality disorders.

While occupational therapy encompasses home modifications and assistive technology, these are not within my current scope of practice. However, there are many skilled OTs who specialize in this area and can provide this support if needed.

SVOT works with NDIS plan-managed and self-managed participants. Private billing can also be arranged if required.