Meet Ferris: Occupational Therapist and Key Worker in our NDIS team

"Seeing children make positive changes is important; seeing them becoming more confident is invaluable."

As a Paediatric Occupational Therapist and Key Worker at Windermere, Ferris works alongside children and families to support everyday goals whether that's developing fine motor skills, building independence, participating at school or gaining confidence in daily routines.

Ferris was drawn to Occupational Therapy because it combines creativity, problem-solving and genuine human connection. For him it's about more than developing skills – it's also about the relationships built along the way.

"What I enjoy most is building meaningful relationships with children and families and seeing their confidence, independence and participation grow over time," he says.

Central to his approach is working closely with families to turn goals into practical, achievable steps that fit into everyday life.

More than therapy: the Key Worker approach

Alongside his role as an Occupational Therapist, Ferris also supports children and families as a Key Worker, helping coordinate supports while keeping the focus on what matters most to each family.

Rather than families needing to manage multiple professionals independently, the Key Worker acts as a consistent point of support. This involves taking the time to understand each family's priorities and consulting with the team at Windermere to help turn strategies into achievable goals.

"I value my role as a Key Worker, where I can work closely alongside families, help them navigate different supports and keep the focus on goals that are practical and meaningful in daily life," Ferris says.

That starts with recognising that families know their child better than anyone else.

"I see families as an essential part of the therapy team because they know their child best."

By building strong relationships and working together towards shared goals, Ferris helps create solutions that fit naturally into a child's routine, whether at home, school or in the community.

It's an approach that aligns with what inspired Ferris to become an Occupational Therapist in the first place.

"I enjoy supporting children to build confidence and participate more fully in the activities that are important and meaningful to them and their families," he explains.

Building trust through connection

Ferris believes that every successful therapy journey starts with trust.

He takes the time to understand each child's interests, personality and preferences as it helps create an environment where children feel safe, comfortable and ready to engage.

"When children feel secure and connected, they are often more willing to participate, try new activities and give things their best effort," he says.

Play is also a key part of that process as it makes therapy enjoyable and meaningful.

"It’s one of the main ways children learn, explore and develop. They are then more motivated to practise new skills and challenge themselves,” Ferris explains.

Small wins, meaningful change

When it comes to delivering support, Ferris wants families to understand that Occupational Therapy is not about changing who a child is.

"It's about understanding their individual strengths, identifying barriers that may be making everyday activities more difficult, and finding strategies or supports that help them participate with greater confidence and independence."

One experience that has stayed with Ferris involved supporting a young child who was experiencing challenges with fine motor skills and toileting.

Over time, they saw encouraging progress. The child developed a better pencil grasp, established a clearer dominant hand and learned to write their own name -- an important milestone as they prepared for school.

"Sometimes the goal itself may appear small, but for the child and their family it can make a meaningful difference to everyday life."

Ferris also worked closely with the family to develop practical toileting strategies and resources, helping build the child's confidence and willingness to try new approaches.

What stood out most wasn't just the progress itself, but the collaborative relationship that developed with the family.

"We were able to talk openly, problem-solve together and keep adjusting our approach based on what was working for the child," Ferris says.

It's these moments that remind Ferris why he chose this career.

"Seeing children make positive changes is important; seeing them becoming more confident is invaluable."

Why Windermere?

What Ferris values most about Windermere is being part of an organisation that prioritises collaboration and meaningful outcomes for families.

Being part of a multidisciplinary team allows clinicians to work together around shared goals.

“Teams work together rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach and we are able to target goals concurrently or support goals together through different disciplines.”

This approach ensures children and families receive support that is coordinated, holistic and based on their strengths, needs and priorities

Outside of work, Ferris enjoys travelling, exploring new places, photography, technology and creative projects.

He's also an avid Pokémon fan and racquet sports enthusiast with a love for just about any sport involving a racquet and a ball. While a golf is another list of outdoor activities he enjoys, at home, his three cats keep him on his toes.

 

To find out more, call our NDIS team on 1300 946 337 or visit our NDIS services page.