Allied Health Support – Paediatric Disability Support Worker

Summary:

Physio, OT or Speech Pathology Graduate or Undergrad with a Disability Support Work background or a proactive Paediatric Disability Support Worker required to work as an Allied Health Support worker at the home of a happy, sport-loving 12 year-old girl with a physical disability, who has surpassed all intellectual and physical expectations on diagnosis.

Description:

Working as Allied Health Support worker in the home of a happy, sport-loving 12 year old girl and has a neurological disorder affecting her ability to use her body, Rett Syndrome.

This would suit: a Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy or Speech Pathology Graduate from overseas; an Undergrad with prior Disability Support Work experience and an interest in Paediatrics; an experienced, proactive Paediatric Disability Support Worker. Regular, flexible hours available to fit around studies or other clients.

The child:

A kind, understanding and intelligent 12 year-old girl who loves being given the opportunity to play and use her hands in the same way as other girls her age: she loves

*drawing, painting, and any arts and crafts (especially glitter-based!),

*Taylor Swift and listening to music, wearing and making bangles (Taylor Swift style),

*playing board games or play-fighting with nerf guns with her older and younger brothers.

She loves doing household chores, watching and playing all sports, particularly soccer, AFL, rugby and cricket with her dad and brothers, walking (bush and beach) and frame running.

She loves reading and participating in everything her friends do at her local mainstream school. She loves learning and is exceptionally good at (Year 6) maths.

Rett Syndrome is a severe neurological condition meaning she has abnormally low tone, hand apraxia and is non-verbal.



Her parents were told on diagnosis shortly following a regression aged 17 months that she'd never be able to read, walk, use her hands functionally or go to a mainstream school.

However, she's managed to surpass all expectations and do all of these things - she started walking independently in a walker aged 3.5, eats using a fork and spoon, picks up her beaker to drink and points to choose books and help turn the pages.

She uses an eye gaze to talk and do reading comprehension, a yes / no board and etran frame to complete Math and other Year 6 in-class exercises at the mainstream school she attends and "writes" using an etran and a keyboard on her eye gaze.

The family have a can-do attitude and belief in her abilities and reaching for the sky - and she proves to everyone around her on a daily basis that she is able to exercise control over her body and does not have an intellectual disability (as is often thought of Rett Syndrome) and has high emotional intelligence.

Responsibilities:

1. Therapy Implementation Support – Implementing daily home programme focussing on extending and developing fine motor skills and independent participation in self-care. following supervision and guidance of longstanding, highly-experienced Paediatric OT.

• Adapt play, leisure and functional activities to support therapeutic goals in a fun and engaging way to encourage independence, e.g.

• Fine motor skill development grasp, release, reaching exercises in chosen activities e.g. board games, bracelet-making and turning the pages of a book





• Visual motor activities – e.g. arts and crafts, drawing and painting

• Assisting in participating in household chores – e.g. putting on and hanging out the washing (a favourite! If only all kids were the same!), clearing up the table, wiping and washing up

• Hand massage, stretching and joint compression

2. Physical mobility and transitions

• Assisted walking inside and outside of the home, assistance with independent walking in walking frame.

• Assist with transfers and mobility into and out of a standing frame, toilet seat, hi-low chair, shower chair if required

3. Support independent methods of communication for choice-making and expression – eye pointing - low tech (look at me for yes, away for no), etran frame, high-tech eye gaze and pointing to choose.

4. Daily Living Routines and Personal Care Assistance

- Light touch assistance with drinking and eating with a fork, to encourage independent hand use.

- Assistance applying and taking off orthotics as required e.g. scoliosis back brace, AFO's, supportive shoes.

- Support with self-care and personal hygiene, encouraging maximum independence throughout – toileting, washing hands, drying, changing clothes, brushing hair and washing as required.

What's in it for you:

* Invaluable experience if you are interested in Paediatrics.

* Not just any Disability Support "carer" role - while supporting the child, you'd be learning about and implementing her therapy plan, and have access to a programme designed by some of the best Paediatric Allied Health Practitioners in Sydney.

* Prospect to work with a proactive family who are passionate about therapy and inclusion and to learn how she's achieved what she has physically and intellectually, despite the worst predictions by specialists on diagnosis.

📌 Allied Health Support Worker - OT, Physio or Paediatric Disability Support (St Ives)
🏢 Recognized
📍 St Ives