Administrative Review Tribunal (ART)
Independent Occupational Therapy Assessment
Courtenay Karoubas
BAppSc (Occupational Therapy), The University of Sydney (2006)
AHPRA Registration ID: OCC0001719568
I am an Occupational Therapist with over 20 years’ experience supporting individuals across the lifespan who have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability and complex co-existing diagnostic presentations.
I have extensive clinical experience preparing detailed functional evidence for complex matters, including Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) proceedings.
My impartial assessments draw upon a wide range of standardised assessment tools, clinical interviews and environmental observations, and detailed review and investigation of medical and allied health collateral documentation.
My recommendations reference the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth), and relevant rules including but not limited to the NDIS (Supports for Participants) Rules 2013 (Cth), NDIS (Specialist Disability Accommodation Conditions) Rules 2020, and 2019 Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Design Standards.
I am skilled in demonstrating how complex, co-existing diagnoses present functionally in everyday life, recognising both strengths and barriers, and ensuring functional support needs are described clearly, accurately, respectfully, and with clinical integrity.
My commitment to independence
Whether I am engaged by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), a participant, a legal representative or another organisation, my role remains exactly the same. I am an independent Occupational Therapist guided by:
The Occupational Therapy Australia Code of Conduct
AHPRA professional standards
Evidence based research and recommendations
Fair and ethical decision-making, and procedural fairness
Transparency in clinical reasoning
Many people understandably wonder whether an assessment can truly be independent if it has been commissioned by the NDIA. The answer is yes.
As an AHPRA-registered Occupational Therapist, I am legally and ethically required to remain independent regardless of who engages my services, and my opinions cannot be influenced by the organisation who pays for the assessment.
My role is to provide impartial evidence-based recommendations where no matters of significance have been withheld.
Every conclusion I reach must be supported by:
Comprehensive clinical assessment and observation
Objective functional evidence
Relevant collateral documentation
Evidence based research and recommendations
Transparent clinical reasoning based on years of experience
My recommendations may support the NDIA's position, the NDIS participant's position, in part or in full, or in some cases not at all.
That is what having a commitment to impartial assessment and being an independent assessor means.
What to expect as an NDIS Participant
As an NDIS Participant you can expect that I will take the time to truly understand how you experience your world, recognising both the strengths and the barriers you encounter, and ensure that your functional support needs are described accurately, respectfully, and with clinical integrity.
If I cannot support a conclusion with evidence, I will say so.
Likewise, if the evidence clearly demonstrates functional impact requiring particular support needs, I will explain that through transparent clinical reasoning.
Every assessment is tailored to the individual NDIS Participant Statement of Issues before the ART.
All ART assessments are extremely thorough because complex disability deserves careful consideration.
Depending on the referral, your assessment may include:
Review of your relevant medical and allied health records
Review of your previous assessments
Discussion with yourself, and (where appropriate) your family members, carers or support workers
Observation of your everyday functional performance
Standardised assessments
Analysis of environmental factors
Consideration of current supports and functional risks
Preparation of an independent report outlining recommendations specific to the Statement of Issues before the ART
FEES:
The cost of an Independent OT Assessment for the ART requires a quotation based on the complexity of the referral. Please make a referral below to explain the supports required.