Miss Wendy Brown1
1Behavioural Escalation Response Team, Metro North, Brisbane, Australia
Biography:
Wendy is an Occupational Therapist with 18 years’ experience from Brisbane. She currently works for the Behavioural Escalation Response Team, an Australian first interdisciplinary outreach and crisis response team for people with a disability who has complex and challenging behaviours
Abstract:
Background:
The Behavioural Escalation Response Team (BERT) is Australia's first multidisciplinary team dedicated to supporting people with disabilities who have complex and challenging behaviours. The team often becomes involved during periods of significant life transitions, such as those leading to Supported Independent Living. This presentation will discuss the role of an Occupational Therapist working with this population during their transition to Supported Independent Living and the importance of the contribution of other members of the Allied Health team to support this transition.
Method:
This presentation features case studies that highlight the real-world experiences of Occupational Therapists supporting people with disabilities who have complex and challenging behaviours
Results:
Occupational Therapists face significant challenges, including gathering evidence to support successful transitions to independent living, ensuring consistent behavioural management support, coordinating across multiple systems, addressing the emotional needs of the individual and their supports, and confronting limitations in available resources and skilled personnel. A collaborative approach among Allied Health professionals can lead to better outcomes for participants.
Discussion:
The role of an Occupational Therapist in supporting individuals with disabilities during their transition to Supported Independent Living is multifaceted and often challenging. By developing a comprehensive understanding of these challenges, as well as the benefits of collaborative strategies, Allied Health professionals can create more effective and compassionate support systems that promote both independence and quality of life. This presentation aims to provide valuable insights for allied health professionals on overcoming the barriers faced by this population in accessing Supported Independent Living