Allied Health and NDIS for Children: A Workshop for Allied Health Practitioners in the Northern Rivers

A workshop for allied health practitioners on the Mid North Coast

The Allied Health & NDIS For Children workshop brings together AHPs working with children to explore recent NDIS reforms, best practices, and collaborative solutions to improve services for children with disabilities. The forum will feature presentations by experts, a lived-experience perspective, and interactive group workshops designed to foster innovation in service delivery.

Themes from the guest speakers include:

• Local Area Coordinators and Allied Health
• Optimal Planning for NDIS Participants
• Getting the Best Outcomes for Your Clients
• NDIS Process in Private Practice
• Navigating the NDIS: Insights from Lived Experience

Workshop Presenters & Topics:

Mary Kay Walker - CEO Parkinson's NSW.  

Mary Kay Walker was appointed Chief Executive Officer at Parkinson’s NSW in 2023. Her priorities for the organisation are to contribute to the implementation of the National Parkinson’s Action Plan, and to advocate to NSW Government Ministries and NSW Health on advancing care for those with Parkinson’s disease. She is also working to build relationships with researchers, movement disorder specialists, and Parkinson’s nurses across the state.

Presentation Title - Parkinson’s NSW Services and Supports

Parkinson’s NSW is a for-purpose organisation striving to make life better for people living with Parkinson’s, their families, and carers. It provides essential services such as counselling, Support Groups, an InfoLine supported by Parkinson’s health professionals, education, NDIS advocacy, and fundraising for service delivery. Its mission is to improve the quality of life of people affected by Parkinson’s.

Cassandra Wong, Physiotherapist and Associate Lecturer at the University of Sydney.

Cassandra Wong is a physiotherapist and Associate Lecturer at the University of Sydney. She is currently completing a PhD that focuses on people with Parkinson’s disease and their access to allied health. Prior to this, she practiced clinically in neurosurgery, neurology and rehabilitation.

Presentation Title: Investigating access to Allied Health by Australians with Parkinson’s Disease

This presentation will discuss the results of two qualitative studies that investigated when, why and how people with Parkinson’s disease are being referred to allied health, including triggers for and barriers to referral. The studies examined the perspectives of care providers (i.e., neurologists, general practitioners, and Parkinson’s nurses), and of people with lived experience (people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners).  

Daniel Cheung - Physiotherapist and Associate lecturer University of Sydney,

Daniel is an experienced physiotherapist, specialising in gerontology in the community and residential aged care. He is a currently completing a PhD focusing on safer mobility behaviour for fall prevention in people with Parkinson’s disease. He is an associate lecturer with the Discipline of Physiotherapy at the Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, and is also a researcher at the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health (IMH) in their physical activity, ageing and disability arm..

 

Presentation Title: A Scoping Review of Safe Mobility Behaviour in Fall Prevention: Implications for people with Parkinson’s disease

Falls are a significant problem for people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD) due to associated motor and non-motor impairments. While promoting safe mobility behaviour has been suggested as an intervention for fall prevention, this concept is poorly articulated in the literature. A scoping review was undertaken to summarise the definition and key concepts of safe mobility behaviour for PwPD living in the community. This talk will explain the concept of safer mobility behaviour and provide clinicians with practical ideas for assessing and improving mobility safety. It will provide further considerations for safer mobility in PwPD.

Gayle Ratcliffe – Occupational Therapist

Gayle Ratcliffe is an Occupational Therapist with over 30 years of experience in the Allied Health sector. She is committed to improving the independence and quality of life of individuals across diverse settings. She has specialised in NDIS in Aged Care, working with multidisciplinary teams, assistive technology, functional assessments, and therapy interventions. In addition to her clinical work, she teaches Occupational Therapists at Gold Coast University. She has a personal interest in Parkinson’s disease with her father recently diagnosed with the condition.

Presentation Title: Activities of Daily Living and Assistive Technology

Gayle will present on the role of the Occupational Therapist when treating patients with Parkinson’s. This includes: improving mobility & fall prevention, adaptive equipment, home and environmental modifications and strategies in enhancing daily living skills.

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This event is proudly supported by: