Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is a type of health care that helps individuals improve their ability to function and participate in everyday activities.

Your occupational therapy team may consist of an Occupational Therapist (OT), who will assess your child and set an intervention plan, and an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), who helps carry out treatment under supervision of the OT.

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

On This Page

What Do Occupational Therapy Services Involve?

Typical Conditions Seen by ErinoakKids OTs

Referral Process and Criteria

OT Resources

Therapy, Fitness and Function

Write-On Fine Motor Drop-In

What Do Occupational Therapy Services Involve?

Occupational therapy services may involve:

• Assessment, treatment and consultation
• Individual or group therapy combined with parent education and coaching 
• Home programming and consultation to caregivers, professionals and supportive personnel who interact with the child 
• Promotion of participation and functioning in the home and community environments
• Activities of daily Living:
  • Motor Development: fine and gross motor skills, oral motor skills (eating and swallowing)
  • Self-help skills: dressing, bathing, personal care
  • Play skills
• Recommendations for home modifications and vehicle modifications for wheelchair accessibility and effective functioning in all environments 
• Support and training in use of adapted equipment (specialized seating, adaptive utensils, home and vehicle modifications)

 

Typical Conditions Seen by ErinoakKids OTs

• Cerebral Palsy
• Acquired Brain Injury
• Spina Bifida
• Skeletal (bone) disorders (Achrondroplasia, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Arthrogryphosis, Congenital or traumatic amputation)
• Neuromuscular disorders (such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Becker and Limb Girdle Dystrophies, Spinal Muscular Atrophy)
• Neural Tube deficits
• Metabolic, mitochondrial disorders with neurological impairment
• Medically fragile

Referral Process and Criteria

A referral is required to access Occupational Therapy services. Health professionals, families and clients can complete our online referral form. For more details, you can visit our Intake Services page.

Referral Criteria

Below are the criteria for Occupational Therapy services:

• Children 0 – 19 years old with: 
  • a physical or developmental delay/disability
  • require therapy to improve optimum functioning in their environment
  • Does not include children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or 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

Start A Referral

Referrals will be reviewed and services will be determined based on your child’s individual needs.

Online Referral Form

Intake Services Page