Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy is a regulated health care profession dedicated to working with clients using evidence-based practice to enable them to participate in meaningful activities while taking into consideration their home environment, culture, and community. Occupational therapy practitioners have a holistic perspective and wish to enable individuals by maximizing their independence through physical and/or mental strategies and techniques. Clients learn how to develop the appropriate skills in the areas of self-care, productivity and leisure that are necessary for independent and satisfying lives.
Occupational therapy for children and youth
The roles and expectations for a child are much different than that of an adult. Play is considered the primary occupation for children, where they explore different ways they can interact with their environment.
Occupational therapists understand that play is essential for development and they study the concepts and assumptions that underlie the theories of play. Occupational therapists realize that multiple, interrelated factors within the child, family and environment influence a child’s ability to engage in play. Through the use of best practice, theory, assessment and clinical reasoning, occupational therapists are able to hypothesize and develop interventions to improve the occupational performance and function of children.
Occupational therapy can help with
Fine and Gross Motor Skills
Your occupational therapist can complete a fine and gross motor assessment to assess your child’s skills in these areas. We can help teach children and youth shoe lace tying, bike riding, getting dressed, self-care skills and components of gross motor play such as aiming, catching, jumping and balance.
Sensory Processing
Occupational therapists can complete sensory assessments to identify any concerns around sensory processing. We provide strategies and intervention to manage these day-to-day sensory needs to ensure that our clients can live their lives fully, functionally & in a meaningful way.
Self Regulation
Does your child experience intense bursts of emotion, difficulty identifying feelings & struggle with emotional control? We can teach children to recognize their body cues and triggers so that they can learn to self-regulate in difficult times. Not only do we teach these skills but we love to collaborate with school staff, caregivers and other professionals to help generalize these new skills to other settings.
Printing and Handwriting
Is your child having difficulty keeping up with writing demands at school? We can assess your child’s handwriting and teach hands-on ways to continue to develop written output skills. We use evidence-based programs to ensure our kiddos are getting the best information to improve their writing skills.
Psychotherapy
As occupational therapists, we are able to provide the controlled act of psychotherapy. If you are looking for psychotherapy services for yourself or your child, or if you have any questions about this service, please contact us to learn more!
Assistive Technology
Slower handwriting speed? Difficulty keeping up with the curriculum? Frustration when trying to get thoughts to paper? Reading or writing difficulties? We can assess and identify areas of concern and recommend assistive technology specific to the client’s needs. We can also help your child develop keyboarding skills!
Anxiety
Occupational therapists can work with children, youth & adults to identify anxious triggers, thoughts and body cues. We are trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy which identifies and challenges negative thinking patterns and behaviours. We teach coping strategies including relaxation techniques to help individuals cope during times of distress. We also have therapists that are trained in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy.
Mental Health
Would you like to improve your mental health? Are you interested in learning about ways to promote positive mental health in your life? We work with children, youth and adults to ensure that you are meeting the demands of your day-to-day life while also taking excellent care of yourself.
Developmental Milestones
Curious if your little one is meeting his/her developmental milestones? We have the tools to assess children to identify delays in meeting developmental milestones and ensure they are on track during their early years.
Feeding
Occupational therapists assess and treat difficulties associated with feeding, eating & swallowing. We use a holistic perspective and recognize and assess not only the physiological factors involved in feeding and eating, but also the psychosocial, cultural, & environmental factors.
Executive Functioning
Occupational therapists assess and treat difficulties associated with feeding, eating & swallowing. We use a holistic perspective and recognize and assess not only the physiological factors involved in feeding and eating, but also the psychosocial, cultural, & environmental factors.
Classroom Observations
Would you like for an occupational therapist to observe your child in his/her classroom setting? In private school settings we are able to observe in the classroom, complete individual treatment sessions and collaborate with school staff. We love to take the opportunity to get to know the rest of your child’s team!
Occupational therapy for adults
Are you an adult seeking occupational therapy services? We provide both consultation & intervention to address a variety of your life goals. Please reach out to us to book an appointment or to ask any questions.
Parent Education
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Psychotherapy
Coping Strategies
Self-Care
Depression
Anxiety
Occupational Balance: having a healthy balance between all aspects of life
Improving our Mental Health
Activities of Daily Living
Accessibility in the Home
Safety at Home
Living a Healthy Life Style
Leisure/Life Balance
Goal Planning
Budgeting
Exploring Meaningful Activities
Sensory Assessment
Areas of focus and services for adults:
Additional services
Ergonomic Assessments
Whether you work from home or on-site, if you experience injuries or stress related to your workplace activities, or want to be proactive in preventing them, we can provide assessment, tools and strategies to help you function comfortably and safely.
Home Safety Assessments
Our occupational therapists can work with you to understand your ability to engage in daily activities in your home. We provide client-centred strategies and recommendations for tools or equipment to make your environment and the tasks you want to do, need to do, or are expected to do on a daily basis safer and easier. This may include kitchen assessments and interventions to facilitate meal preparation, bathroom and transfer safety, or energy conservation, among others.
Occupational therapy for mental health
What is Occupational Therapy for Mental Health Disorders?
When children and youth face a mental health challenge, early identification and intervention is crucial and can lead to improved achievement in school and better health outcomes in life.
Expanding Horizons OT uses a hands-on approach to teach children and youth skills and tools to help them build resilience and better cope and thrive in their ever changing lives. An occupational therapist collaborates with children and youth to assist them in developing effective strategies to successfully function with their mental illness. Areas that occupational therapists typically address are stress/anxiety management, self-regulation skills, goal planning, conflict resolution, job skills, daily routine and planning, engagement in leisure activities and financial planning.
Occupational therapy assistant
Our occupational therapy assistants work with clients to enable them to participate in meaningful activities while taking into consideration their home environment, culture, and community. Occupational therapy assistants work under the supervision of registered occupational therapists to help clients learn how to develop skills in the areas of self-care, productivity and leisure that are necessary for independent and satisfying lives.
Occupational therapy assistants can help with
Fine and Gross Motor Skills
Your occupational therapy assistant can help teach children and youth shoe lace tying, bike riding, getting dressed, self-care skills and components of gross motor play such as aiming, catching, jumping and balance.
Sensory Processing
Occupational therapy assistants can provide strategies and intervention to manage day-to-day sensory needs to ensure that our clients can live their lives fully, functionally & in a meaningful way.
Printing and Handwriting
Is your child having difficulty keeping up with writing demands at school? We can teach hands-on ways to continue to develop written output skills. We use evidence-based programs to ensure that our kiddos are getting the best information to improve their writing skills.
Assistive Technology
Slower handwriting speed? Difficulty keeping up with the demands of the curriculum? Frustration when trying to get thoughts to paper? Reading or writing difficulties? We can address your areas of concern and work with assistive technology specific to your child’s needs. We can also help your child develop keyboarding skills!
Developmental Milestones
Curious if your little one is meeting his/her developmental milestones? Upon assessment with one of our registered occupational therapists, our occupational therapy assistant can assist children to meet developmental milestones and ensure they are on track during their early years.
Executive Functioning
Our occupational therapy assistants can help develop skills related to time management, organization, planning, areas of self-regulation, attention and focus, and initiation, among others.
Ready to begin your journey?
Whether you’re looking for support for yourself or a loved one, we’re here to provide the care and guidance you need.