Occupational Therapy: accepting referrals
Occupational Therapy is the art and science of enabling engagement in everyday living, through occupation; of enabling people to perform the occupations that foster health and well-being; and of enabling a just and inclusive society so that all people may participate to their potential in the daily occupations of life
(Townsend & Polatajko, 2013, p. 380).
When working with children, the Occupational Therapist works with the child and their family to help the child engage and participate fully in activities of daily life.
Self-care is things we need to do to take care of our bodies.
Examples of these activities are toothbrushing, toileting, feeding, sleeping, washing hands, dressing, bathing, and getting a haircut.
Productivity is usually activities that have to be done, and we often see them as responsibilities such as: doing the dishes, laundry, setting the table, making dinner, tidying up, schoolwork (cutting, writing), walking the dog, etc.
For some children, play would be in this category.
Leisure corresponds to activities that we do by choice. These activities can be playing games, social interactions (sharing, turn-taking), sports, watching television, playing with toys, riding a bike, skipping rope, etc.
Following an assessment to determine the nature of difficulties in participation and engagement, the Occupational Therapist plans recommendations and interventions for the child and their family to help the child’s functioning at home, school, and in the community.
We offer services to children of all age groups and offer services in both French and English.
Occupational Therapy Assessment
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Short Assessment/Screening
Screening of the child/youth with a focus on one area of engagement and performance (could be for handwriting, toileting, feeding or sleep).
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Full Assessment
The second type of assessment is a more complete profile of the child or youth’s engagement and performance in all their daily occupations (self-care, school, leisure).
