Services

• Coordinated Service Planning
• FASD Services
• School Based Rehabilitation Services (SBRS)
• Summer Therapy Programs
  • Helping Hands
  • SKILLS
• Drama Services
• Auditory Verbal Therapy and American Sign Language Instruction
• Speech and Language Services
• Infant Hearing Screening
• Infant Hearing Services
  • Audiology Services in Halton, Peel and Dufferin
• Medical Services
• Music 4 Life
• Occupational Therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Vision Services
• Assistive Devices Resource Services
• Early Childhood Resource Services
• Independent Living Program
  • Independent Living Program Application
• Nursing Services
• Recreation Therapy
• Respite Services
  • 18+ Respite Application
  • Saturday Day respite
  • Overnight respite
  • Respite Camp Selection Form
• Service Navigation
• Social Work Services
• Specialty Clinics
• Transitions Services

Occupational Therapists (OTs) provide services for children and youth (from birth to 19 years) to improve their ability to function and participate in everyday activities. 

Occupational Therapy services may involve:

Intervention focuses on skill development as well as on creating environments that promote best functioning. Intervention occurs with collaboration with the family and the whole service team.

Referral Criteria

• Children 0 – 19 years old with a physical or developmental delay/disability requiring therapy to improve optimum functioning in their environment (Does not include children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disability (LD))
• Must live in Peel, Halton or Dufferin 
• Children who are currently receiving speech and language services, Intensive Behavioural Intervention(IBI) services and/or Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) services through ErinoakKids or an ErinoakKids subcontractor may access OT services concurrent with their other service(s) as needed

 

AGE	TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT	WHEN TO CALL FOR HELP
By 3 MONTHS	Lifts and holds head up while on tummy Pushes up on arms while lying on tummy Moves legs and arms off of surface when lying on back	Not able to follow a moving object with eyes Not able to grasp and  hold objects Seems very stiff or very floppy
By 6 MONTHS	Uses hands to support self while sitting Reaches for toys while on tummy Reaches both hands to play with feet	Not able to sit using hands for support Poor head control and unable to lift head Not able to get objects to mouth Not able to reach for objects
By 9 MONTHS	Reaches for toys without falling Turns head to look at and follow parent/objects Sits independently Can get into sitting position by themselves Sits without support Starting to crawl	Needs assistance or uses hands to support sitting Uses only one side of the body when moves Consistently over or under-reaches for objects Falls when reaching for toys
By 12 MONTHS	Able to grasp cheerio with finger and thumb Points with finger Bangs toys together Holds crayon in a fist Beginning to help with dressing Bites through a soft cookie Holds a cup independently Frinks with some spillage Begins to bring filled spoon to mouth	Significant difficulty picking up and holding onto objects Not able to turn head to follow parent/object Play is limited to chewing and mouthing Frequently chokes when eating or drinking Favors one hand/arm Does not use thumb when grasping objects Hands are fisted most of the time
By 18 MONTHS	Walks alone Helps with undressing Can build a tower of two to four blocks Can use a spoon and cup with help to feed self Can turn two or three pages of a book at a time Squats to pick up a toy	Not able to pick up small objects between thumb and fingers Only uses one hand to complete tasks Has difficulty with chewing and swallowing Not able to feed self with spoon or fork Needs help to hold and drink from a cup Has difficulty letting go of object from hands
by 24 MONTHS	Grasps small object  between thumb and fingers Able to string large beads Able to bring spoon/fork to mouth with little spillage Able to drink from a cup Helps with undressing Plays appropriately with toys geared to child’s age	Has significant difficulty picking up and grasping small objects. Explores objects with mouth most of the time Frequently loses balance in sitting when using hands Has significant difficulty playing with toys geared for his/her age e.g. can’t activate toys using fingers. Needs physical help to eat and drink Requires wheelchair or mobility device Requires orthotics/splints to manage arm/hand spasticity
By  3 YEARS	Catches large balls and throws overhand Alternates feet when climbing stairs  Puts together simple puzzles Able to grasp pencil between thumb and fingers Able to pick up and carefully let go a small object Able to use fork with little spillage Able to put arms in sleeves of jacket Undresses completely without assistance	Needs special equipment  and/or significant assistance to complete self help activities  e.g. uses adapted cutlery to eat, needs bath chair to support sitting in tub. Needs specialized seating to support optimal positioning for play Requires wheelchair or mobility device Has significant difficulty playing with toys geared for his/her age Requires orthotics/splints to manage arm/hand spasticity Requires vehicle modification to support seating system. Has  challenges with  chewing and swallowing
By 6 + YEARS	Can use utensils competently e.g. use a knife to cut and spread, cut a simple shape Throws with accuracy Kicks rolling ball Uses playground equipment independently Dresses and undresses independently	Requires wheelchair or mobility device. Has significant difficulty using utensils e.g. cutlery, scissors and requires adaptive equipment. Requires specialized equipment to complete personal care e.g. specialized seating or bath/shower chair Requires full physical assistance of adult to transfer (moving from one position to another) Requires home modification (such as ceiling track, grab bars in bathroom) Requires orthotics/splints to manage arm/hand spasticity