An NDIS progress report is a practical check-in that measures change over time while we work towards a participant’s goal.
It helps ensure the therapies and supports being provided are effectively addressing the participant’s goals, current needs and functional outcomes.
Clear reporting to guide the next step
Progress reports help participants, support coordinators and clinicians understand whether current therapy remains appropriate, whether functional gains have been made and whether further support may be needed.
Progress reports are important for two main reasons:
Keep the care team aligned
They ensure the participant, support coordinator and Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist remain on track to achieve the outcomes identified in the initial assessment.
Adapt the treatment plan
They identify where gains have been made, or where improvement is still required, creating an opportunity to tailor or adjust treatment where needed.
When undertaking a progress report, the participant may sometimes be required to attempt the goal activity, such as walking a certain distance.
In other cases, it may only be appropriate to undertake a portion of the end-goal activity.
Total Health Choice can provide both Physio & OT related reports.
There is often significant overlap between the recommendations of a Physiotherapist and the recommendations of an Occupational Therapist.
Our recommendations can be anything relevant to helping a participant achieve their identified goals.
In many cases, they relate to assistive technology. For example, someone may need a new ROHO cushion for their wheelchair or a commode in the bathroom.
Recommendations may also include computers or tablet devices to ensure participants can access Telehealth for the services they need.
Progress reports are suitable for existing NDIS participants.
For example, if an Occupational Therapist saw a participant six months ago, they may be due for a progress report. The report may address questions such as:
For new participants, we undertake a comprehensive initial assessment to gain an understanding of the person, their needs and how we can assist them.
This varies significantly for each participant. We always undertake a comprehensive initial assessment, and follow-up assessments may be indicated at three-monthly or six-monthly intervals.
Our standard procedure includes a follow-up appointment whenever assistive equipment has been prescribed. This ensures equipment is being used safely and effectively, maximising the opportunity for participants to improve function, mobility and strength.
We primarily work with adults who are living with a disability. We work with NDIS participants on all different plan types and accept participants who are Plan Managed, Self Managed and Agency Managed.
From day one with a new participant, we produce progress reports for both the participant and support coordinator.
When a participant is doing weekly or fortnightly sessions with us, we provide regular reports to the support coordinator.
These reports can include:
Associated medical practitioners and carers may receive the report to support the best multidisciplinary approach for the participant.
We ensure our reports are detailed and specific while also being easy to understand.
We revisit the outcome measures established in the initial assessment. This gives us a clear understanding of the progress that has been made.
For example, a participant may come to us with a goal to swim 500 metres. Their initial assessment may indicate that they can currently swim 200 metres.
When we revisit this for a progress report, they may be able to swim 400 metres. This would indicate that, while they have not met their end goal yet, they are making meaningful progress and the work being undertaken is effective.
Progress reports help us identify changes in a participant’s needs with regard to modifications or assistive technology. In these cases, our recommendations go to the support coordinator.
The support coordinator can then approve lower-cost items once costing has been outlined. Such items may include a walking stick, a steering wheel device for easier driving, specialised cutlery or a TENS machine for reducing pain.
For higher-cost items, NDIS approval needs to be specifically sought. A more detailed report is required, outlining the relevant considerations and how the item would assist the participant.
Higher-cost items may include a new electric scooter, a customised wheelchair or a new bed.
Total Health Choice’s Occupational Therapists have clinical experience with a range of physical and neurological conditions. The term occupation refers to daily actions people perform. Our OTs work closely with individuals to reach high functional outcomes by optimising regular activities of daily living.
We work best with elderly individuals and adults living with a disability.
