Sheyma Balkis

• Provided client-centred, evidence-based therapy to children and young people with disabilities.
• Delivered therapy in home, educational, and community settings to enhance functional skills and independence.
• Collaborated within a multidisciplinary team, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech Pathologists, and Psychologists.
• Supported families through education, coordination, and indirect client services.
• Maintained comprehensive documentation and contributed to NDIS planning and goal setting.

• Senior Occupational Therapist & Team Leader in 2022.
• Managed own client caseload of ~55 clients and therapy schedule.
• Caseload consisted of children aged 2-16 years of age. Mainly specialising in early intervention and supporting children with various diagnoses; ASD, ADHD, DCD and intellectual disabilities.
• Mentored and supported a team consisting of new graduate employees to foster proper completion of assigned duties.
• Conducted training and coaching for team with a purpose of building competency when handling challenging clients and stressful situations.
• Coordinated interventions and established connections with multidisciplinary treatment teams.
• Identified developmental and functional needs of clients while providing client and family centred therapy.
• Established compassionate and caring relationships with clients and their families.
• Performed evaluations and assessments to recommend best treatment for individual clients. E.g., Sensory Profile, Beery VMI and BOT.
• Led and/or assisted in developing and running various groups such as handwriting, picky eaters, social skills, school readiness, and play skill groups.
• Completed documentation concisely and efficiently. Reports were written in clear, concise language understandable to families and professionals involved. Applied sensory integration with children to promote adaptive responses for improved interactions within environments.
• Provided observations, intervention, and education to schools, childcare's and kindergartens.
• Ran a school readiness group in a kindergarten for 10 weeks.
• Supervised students on placement and new graduates.
• Demonstrated respect, friendliness, and willingness to help wherever needed.
• Maintained energy and enthusiasm in a fast-paced environment.
• Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
• Familiar with and completed NDIS documentation, supported clients to get access and provided support to families throughout their yearly funding plans.

• Drove clients safely to social activities and appointments.
• Designed individualised plans detailing daily activities and needs for clients.
• Collaborated with parents on home care and support for children with disabilities.

• Promoted to manager on duty within first 5 months of employment, to manage and lead the store, while providing excellent customer service in a fast paced environment.
• Demonstrated exceptional time management and organisational skills in order to stimulate production within the workplace.
• Conducted training and mentored team members to promote productivity, accuracy and commitment to friendly service.
• Identified and resolved customer complaints concerning food or service.

• Conducted initial assessments with clients in acute and community settings.
• Completed neurological screens, neurological upper limb and cognitive assessments.
• Implemented appropriate interventions to address prioritised needs.
• Provided falls and pressure care education to clients.
• Completed full home assessments and provided appropriate recommendations and referrals.
• Provided appropriate equipment as required.
• Formulated appropriate goals for patients and clients.
• Discharge planning and liaising with the multidisciplinary team.

• Worked with clients to develop leisure and vocational interests.
• Facilitated the development of skills needed for independent living such as accessing community resources, managing one's home, managing time, managing medication, and being safe at home and in the community.
• Provided thorough Occupational Therapy Assessment reports to the NDIA on behalf of clients.
• Documentation of Occupational Therapy Assessment Reports based on clinical understanding and application of various clinical assessments including the Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool (MOHOST).
• Conducted the Sensory Profile Questionnaire and provided accompanying documentation of assessment and recommendations to key clinicians and their clients.

Worked with mentally and physically disabled children at a care centre in Cambodia's capital city, Phnom Penh; observed the medical staff as they worked with disabled children and practically applied knowledge of Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention, in combination with techniques taught by the staff at the centre. Regularly read and updated patient files by including notes and observations, and encouraged an exchange of medical knowledge between self, staff and volunteers at the centre.