Therapy
Help individuals with disabilities develop essential skills for daily living through various therapy roles.
Last updated 2 January 2025
On this page
Overview
Provide specialised care in areas of physical, sensory, speech-language disabilities and more to people in need.
You can explore the therapy path in the areas of occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech-language therapy and therapy assistant.
Occupational Therapist
As an Occupational Therapist, you will specialise in helping people of all ages with physical, sensory and cognitive impairments to develop, recover or maintain their daily living and working skills.
Key responsibilities
An Occupational Therapist assesses the development of service users and determines the functional skills necessary for their everyday life. This includes:
Developing rehabilitation programmes to help rebuild lost skills and restore confidence.
Recommending environmental modifications that help service users participate in school, home and community tasks more independently.
Educating parents and caregivers on correct handling and positioning techniques to minimise the risk of exacerbating disability.
Designing training strategies for parents, caregivers, teachers, training officers and other therapists.
Education requirements
Education requirements for Occupational Therapist
To be a/an | Minimum | Recommended | More information |
|---|---|---|---|
Occupational Therapist | Bachelor in Science (Occupational Therapy) |
| |
Information as of February 2018. Job titles may vary across agencies. | |||
Physiotherapist
As a Physiotherapist, you will help patients who have lost mobility to relieve pain, improve muscle strength and respiratory and mobility functions to become as independent as possible in their physical activities.
Key responsibilities
A Physiotherapist assesses pain, injuries and other physical dysfunctions experienced by service users. This includes:
Developing and monitoring treatment programmes that improve or restore movement.
Educating clients and their caregivers on techniques to improve movement and physical function independently.
Collaborating with other social service professionals to provide customised physiotherapy services.
Education requirements
Education requirements for Physiotherapist
To be a/an | Minimum | Recommended | More information |
|---|---|---|---|
Physiotherapist | Bachelor in Science (Physiotherapy) |
| |
Information as of February 2018. Job titles may vary across agencies. | |||
Speech-and-Language Therapist
As a Speech-and-Language Therapist, you can bring relief to individuals with conditions affecting their ability to speak, eat or drink. Clients will include a diverse group of people with learning disabilities, deafness and dementia. You might also be providing help to a range of conditions, including cleft palate and voice disorders.
Key responsibilities
A Speech and-Language Therapist conducts screening to assess a client’s speech, language, cognitive communication, and feeding and swallowing skills prior to intervention. This includes:
Devising and monitoring a specialised therapy programme to enable each client to cope with their difficulties as much as possible.
Conducting training programmes for parents, caregivers, teachers and foreign domestic workers on communication, as well as feeding and swallowing and oro-motor techniques.
Collaborating with caregivers and other social service professionals to ensure the clients benefit from speech therapy maximally.
Education requirements
Education requirements for Speech-and-Language Therapist
To be a/an | Minimum | Recommended | More information |
|---|---|---|---|
Speech-Language Therapist (SLT) | Bachelor in Science (Speech & Language Pathology) |
|
|
Information as of February 2018. Job titles may vary across agencies. | |||
Therapy Assistant
As a Therapy Assistant, you play a vital role in helping therapists in various specialisations to help them carry out life-changing treatments and activities to those in need.
Key responsibilities
A Therapy Assistant guides and encourages service users during rehabilitation sessions. This includes:
Providing physical, emotional and social care.
Maintaining documentation of beneficiaries and their treatment records.
Preparing and maintaining materials and equipment for therapeutic activities.
Assisting staff and volunteers in organising social and recreational activities for service users.
Participating in multi-disciplinary case conferences.
Education requirements
Education requirements for Therapy Assistant
To be a/an | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
Therapy Assistant | 'N' Level |
|
Information as of February 2018. Job titles may vary across agencies. | ||
Career progression
Possible workplaces
Community Health Centres
Early Intervention Centres
Special Education Schools
Hospitals
Nursing Homes
Preschools
Senior Day Activity Centres
Vocational Rehabilitation Centres