"Should I book OT or physio?" is one of the most common questions we get, and it's a fair one. The lines blur, especially since some things overlap. Here's the simplest way to think about it.
Occupational therapy (OT)
OT is about function: can you do the things you need to do each day, and what equipment or technique would make that easier? Think showering, dressing, cooking, or getting around your home safely. If daily tasks feel harder than they should, start here.
Physiotherapy
Physio is about movement itself: strength, mobility, pain, and recovery after an injury or surgery. If the issue is "my body doesn't move the way I want it to," that's a physio conversation.
Speech pathology
This covers more than speech. It includes swallowing difficulties, understanding language, and social communication skills. If mealtimes are difficult, or conversations feel like hard work, a speech pathologist can help with both.
Psychology
Psychology supports mental health and emotional wellbeing: anxiety, low mood, coping strategies, and processing big life changes like an NDIS plan itself, which can be a lot to deal with.
What if you're still not sure?
Honestly, most people aren't sure, and that's fine. Tell us what's actually hard in your day-to-day: "I struggle to get in and out of the shower" or "I get frustrated because people don't understand me", and we'll point you to the right allied health service. Sometimes it's two services working together, which is exactly why we coordinate them under one plan instead of leaving you to manage separate providers.