Harleen Dhall

CURRENT ROLE:

My current role involves providing Occupational Therapy services for NDIS participants including, but not limited to, assessments and intervention relating to Functional Capacity, Living Needs, Sensory needs, and Assistive Technology.  My typical day at work often includes meeting with clients to conduct detailed assessments, implement therapy programs or complete equipment trials. Once the assessments have been completed, extensive reporting is undertaken as a requirement of the NDIA and to advocate on behalf of the client. 

As a certified Sensory Integration practitioner, I enjoy working with a broad age range of clients when implementing sensory based strategies for improving self-regulation.  I also have clinical experience in school-based pediatric settings including assessment and intervention of sensory processing skills, gross & fine motor skills, and behaviour.

CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

I graduated from the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre-Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences in 2014 with a Master of Occupational Therapy, specialising in neurological disorders.  Prior to this, I graduated from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2009.

Complementing my work history, I have always maintained a strong focus on professional development through various certifications. I have attained certifications in Basic and Advanced Wheelchair skills, Therapeutic Listening, Oral Placement Therapy (Level II) and Sensory Integration (level I) and have made sure that I implement the gained knowledge in my assessment and therapy sessions.

I have extensive experience in providing assessment and interventions to complex NDIS participants within both home and school settings and assist them with improving socio-emotional awareness, self-regulation, independent living skills and overall quality of life through the provision of strategies, adaptive aids and home modifications. I also have comprehensive experience in guiding the client, their family, and caregivers on treatment procedures to improve client outcomes and increase carry through with the therapy plan.

I strongly believe in mentorship and have contributed significantly in mentoring new practitioners by conducting in-service trainings at the work place.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERTISE:

• Assistive Technology (assessments & prescription)
• Sensory Assessments and implementing sensory based strategies
• Functional Capacity/Care Needs assessments (FIM accredited)
• Home modifications
• Pressure sore prevention and management
• Sleep hygiene
• Social-emotional awareness and regulation strategies guided by the zones of regulation program
• Early intervention assessments and therapy programs to promote the function and engagement of infants and toddlers and their families in everyday routines by addressing areas of occupation, including activities of daily living, rest and sleep, play, education, and social participation.
• Use and interpretation of standardised assessment tools like MoCA, SMMSE, WHODAS 2.0, CIQ, CANS, Lawton IADL, Barthel Index for ADL skills, FIM, Adult and Child Sensory Profiles, Sensory Processing Measure and Caregiver Stress Index.

Personally, spending time with my friends is a big part of my life outside of work. I also enjoy travelling and engaging in activities like dancing, sketching, and painting whenever I find time, apart from being a big movie buff and a huge Marvel fan. I have recently been selected as a team member to perform with a Bhangra dance team which is an old traditional form of Indian dancing.