Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy (OT) is a branch of health care that helps people of all ages who have physical, sensory, or cognitive problems.

Our Team

What Is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy (OT) is a branch of health care that helps people of all ages who have physical, sensory, or cognitive problems. OT can help them regain independence in all areas of their lives.


Occupational therapists help with barriers that affect a person's emotional, social, and physical needs. To do this, they use everyday activities, exercises, and other therapies.


OT can help kids and teens who have:

multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and other chronic illnesses

Why Is It important?

OT helps kids play, improves their school performance, and aids their daily activities. It also boosts their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment. With OT, kids can:

  • Develop fine motor skills so they can grasp and release toys and develop good handwriting or computer skills.
  • Improve eye–hand coordination so they can play and do needed school skills such as bat a ball and copy from a blackboard.
  • Master basic life skills such as bathing, getting dressed, brushing teeth, and self-feeding.
  • Learn positive behaviors and social skills by practicing how they manage frustration and anger.

Get special equipment to help build their independence. These include wheelchairs, splints, bathing equipment, dressing devices, and communication aids.

What Do You Work On?

Help clients achieve optimum independence and well-being, considering their personal goals, interests and motivation. 

Assess skills and create intervention plans to promote participation of the individual within their daily routine. 

Provide developmentally appropriate goals related to play, social interactions, attention, motor skills, self-care, etc.

Support learning and participation through their knowledge of sensory processing, emotional and behavioural regulation, oral/ fine/gross motor development and task analysis. 

Recommend modifications or accommodations to activities and the environment that help people with ASD participate in activities at home, at school and in the community. 

Assess driving capacities, develop vocational skills, and explore independent living options 

Help clients achieve optimum independence and well-being. 

Support clients and families through education, consultation, advocacy. 

Help clients in developing intimate relationships through education on relationships and on sexuality. 

Contribute to interprofessional teams which include psychologists, psychiatrists, behavioural therapists, early interventionists, social workers, educators, vocational counsellors and life skills workers.

Early Therapy can…

Promote the functions and engagement of toddlers and infants along with their families in their everyday routines. This is done be addressing areas of occupation including activities of daily living. Examples include;

  • Rest
  • Sleep
  • Play
  • Education
  • Social participation

Ot's and OTA's are able to enhance the families capabilities and capacity to care for their child(ren) and promote his/her ability and development in natural environments where the child occupies daily.

SHOULD MY CHILD SEE AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST?

Children spend their days playing and exploring the world around them, which is important for learning how to interact with others and developing independent life skills. This is a crucial part of their overall development, so it’s important to keep note of your child’s progress and any setbacks that might come up.


Keep an eye out for signs your child may need some extra help during their development:

  • Trouble with gross motor skills

    If your child experiences difficulty with their balance, strength, endurance or their coordination, then OT can be beneficial with strengthening these motor skills. Therapy can help with a child’s ability to walk, climb stairs, hop and other daily activities. Later on in life, such deficits can hinder kids from participating in sports or play at recess, which can affect their self-esteem. It’s important to tackle these issues early on with the help of a Pediatric Occupational Therapist.


    Watch: Gross Motor Skill Milestones & Activities

  • Difficulty achieving age-appropriate milestones

    Are you concerned your 1-year-old isn’t crawling yet or that your 2-year-old isn’t walking steadily on their own? Occupational therapy can help children who are showing signs of developmental delays.

  • Issues with fine motor skills

    Children that have trouble with fine motor skills typically have a difficult time with simple tasks such as drawing, using scissors or even their utensils.


    Watch: Fine Motor Skills In Children

  • Sensory processing problems

    If you notice your child tends to overreact to touch, taste, sounds or smells, these are common signs that there could be sensory processing issues. Occupational Therapy can help with sensitivity to these senses using different exercises.


    Watch: Occupational Therapy Treatment for Sensory Difficulties

What are some signs of autism?

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? 

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the most common developmental disability and neurological disorder affecting people across their lifespan, although usually first diagnosed in children. According to Autism Speaks Canada, an estimated 1 out of 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls are diagnosed with autism. ASD presents differently in every individual, impacting all aspects of an individual’s development and occupational performance, including their ability to perform activities of self-care / daily living, and to participate in productive work (and education for children) and leisure and recreation activities, as well as overall, their ability to communicate and socially participate.

How do occupational Therapists Help?

Occupational therapists use their knowledge of sensory processing, emotional and behavioural regulation, oral/fine/gross motor development and task analysis to support learning and participation. Occupational therapists bring a unique and comprehensive perspective in the treatment of persons with ASD, in that they are highly educated and experienced to evaluate and provide intervention, both direct treatment and consultation to families, educators and caregivers, in the areas of physical, sensory processing, and social – emotional health in all environments of a person with an ASD. In addition, occupational therapists support the many transitions in life such as from home to daycare, from daycare to school, and from school to society, including vocational or productive work environments. Occupational therapists provide support to families through education, consultation, advocacy and assisting with access to community resources.


Occupational therapy (OT) helps people work on cognitive, physical, social, and motor skills. The goal is to improve everyday skills which allow people to become more independent and participate in a wide range of activities. 


For people with autism, OT programs often focus on play skills, learning strategies, and self-care. OT strategies can also help to manage sensory issues.


The occupational therapist will begin by evaluating the person's current level of ability. The evaluation looks at several areas, including how the person:

  • Learns
  • Plays
  • Cares for themselves
  • Interacts with their environment


The evaluation will also identify any obstacles that prevent the person from participating in any typical day-to-day activities.



Based on this evaluation, the therapist creates goals and strategies that will allow the person to work on key skills. Some examples of common goals include:

  • Independent dressing
  • Eating
  • Grooming
  • Using the bathroom
  • Fine motor skills like writing, coloring, and cutting with scissors