Ashleigh Feehan is passionate about the power of Occupational Therapy to improve the lives of people with disability. She loves working with clients to discover what’s important to them and helping them to achieve their goals.
What is your role at genU?
I’m a Senior Occupational Therapist. We work with people to do both the things they want to and enjoy doing, as well as the things they need to do. Occupational Therapy (OT) helps people to have a better quality of life.
My specialty is in Paediatrics, focussing on early intervention and kids.
Our team also work with adults with physical support and mental health needs, including psychosocial disabilities.
Who uses your OT services?
We have NDIS clients, home care package clients and also work in genU’s outreach services. We see people across the lifespan, from very young to aged care.
We typically see people in their ‘natural environment’. We work with them at home, at school or work, or meet them out in the community.
For example, we look at things like travel training, which might mean going to the shops or getting to work independently, depending on their goal. We could be catching the bus from their house with them and learning how to do that together.
What do you like most about your job?
I just love discovering what the kids are interested in, what they really want to do, and helping them figure out how they can achieve it.
They don’t always have the opportunity to feel heard or feel supported in addressing things that might be challenging.
I think it’s important for them to feel validated in their interests, and know that we understand that things are sometimes challenging for them. Even if it’s something that other people might not consider to be important, like going up a level in Roblox.
What’s one example of how OT can impact lives that might surprise people?
I have one young client who loves MasterChef and his goal was to be able to cook for his family. He is autistic and has an intellectual disability and had some real challenges with fine motor skills.
We worked on safely using cutlery, paying attention to the task, and following all the steps. We got some safe cutting knives and other adapted utensils so that he can use them independently. We also designed some visuals to help him understand the recipes and steps.
The improvements that he has made in his cooking skills and even his skills in the community, like going to the supermarket, have been huge.
He has been able to cook dinner for his big, busy family. And he has loved being able to contribute and get such wonderful feedback about his achievement.
What was your pathway to becoming an OT?
I grew up in a small town in Northeast Victoria and moved to Melbourne to study, completing my Masters in Occupational Therapy Practice at Latrobe University.
I graduated in 2016 and I’ve had the pleasure of working in lots of different places. I’ve really found the right spot for me, working at a large disability community organisation.
Learn more about genU Occupational Therapy services.