Frequently Asked Questions
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy is an allied health profession that focuses on everyday activities that an individual needs to and/or wants to do in the areas of self-care, productivity, and leisure. Occupational Therapy can provide a comprehensive assessment aiming to identify both strengths and fundamental skills contributing to areas of concern. Some examples may be sensory processing, motor skills, attention, executive functioning, etc. contributing to feelings of stress, anxiety, or pain. OT strives to understand a client’s participation across environments which is a unique framework providing a holistic approach to supporting their clients.
What is included in self-care, productivity, and leisure?
Self-Care (ADL’s): dressing, teeth, hair, washing, sleep hygiene, eating, etc.
Self-Care (IADL’s): meal preparation, grocery shopping, community transportation, money management, cleaning the home, and medication management.
Productivity: work, parenting, school, university, play.
Leisure: socializing, extra-curricular activities, organized and unorganized activities, exploring meaningful activities.
If any of these “occupations” are challenging, you and your OT can determine the reasons why and then start your journey to positive steps forward collaboratively.
What type of occupational therapy services are available?
OT’s can provide a variety of different therapeutic approaches best suited to the individual based on a comprehensive assessment and collaboration with the client. We take a collaborative, strength-based approach to our services. We aim to co-create a service delivery model that meets your individual needs and facilitates achieving goals that are meaningful to you. This may include direct or consultative therapy, and the frequency will be determined in collaboration with your OT.
Do I need a doctor’s referral?
Occupational Therapy is a fee-for-service model and you do not require a physician’s referral. Some insurance companies, however, do require a referral. You can contact your insurance provider for more details.
Do I bring my child to the first appointment?
If you are coming to occupational therapy for a feeding/eating assessment and your child is under 5, it is recommended that they don’t attend the first initial session. OT will make a next-step plan that includes your child by the end of your first session. It is common for initial occupational therapy sessions to take 1-3 visits depending on the number of concerns/goals. However, your child is always welcome to attend. Your OT will have age-appropriate activities to help sustain their interest and attention, as well as include them in the assessment as indicated.
If you aren’t sure, please feel free to contact Kelsey at kellsey.ot@gmail.com.
How often do I need to attend occupational therapy sessions?
The frequency will be determined in collaboration with your OT based on assessment findings, the type of therapy recommended, and the goals identified.
After the initial assessment do I attend the occupational therapy sessions with my child?
Each child’s journey with occupational therapy is unique. You and your OT will collaboratively determine what will best meet the needs of your child.
Do occupational therapists complete developmental assessments?
Yes, occupational therapists can complete developmental assessments looking at fine-motor, gross-motor, and writing skills (including pre-writing skills), visual-motor integration, bilateral integration, coordination, adaptive skills, sensory processing, executive functioning, social skill,s and more. If a certain level of assessment is required and falls outside of the OT scope of practice, our OT has extensive experience in neurodevelopmental services and can support you with system navigation to have your questions answered.
I receive consultative occupational therapy services but would like more direct therapy. Is this something you can provide?
Yes, we can provide direct OT services. We value a collaborative approach and your OT will work with you and your healthcare team to support your occupational performance across environments. Any documentation or communication from the current OT can help provide a safe, holistic approach based on the goals/concerns identified.
Do you offer virtual Occupational Therapy services?
Yes, both in-person and virtual Occupational Therapy services are available.
Can occupational therapists provide a diagnosis?
No occupational therapists cannot provide a diagnosis themselves. However, they can provide assessments that are extremely beneficial and/or required when exploring a diagnosis such as ADHD and others. These pre-diagnostic assessments will provide a comprehensive, holistic understanding of an individual’s functioning across environments and a report can be completed to share with your provider.
Can occupational therapists prescribe medications?
No occupational therapist can not prescribe medications but, they specialize in other therapeutic strategies that can be used in conjunction with medications prescribed by your provider to support your occupational performance across environments.
My child is a picky eater, should I see an occupational therapist or dietician first?
Our occupational therapists and dieticians work collaboratively to support your child’s health and eating. The occupational therapist can help determine the underlying reasons for your child’s selective eating (e.g. sensory processing, motor skills, anxiety, etc.) and support the next step in eating/feeding skills, including expanding your child’s food repertoire. Service may include direct therapy with your child and/or consultation with the parents. The dietician can help support your child’s nutrition during this challenging time of more selective eating and help expand their food repertoire as well. If you aren’t sure, please book a free 15-minute consultation and we can co-create a plan that best meets your needs and goals.
What is the difference between a 60-minute and 90-minute initial occupational therapy assessment?
Initial occupational therapy assessments can often take 2-3 sessions to complete a comprehensive assessment. For feeding assessments, two 60-minute initial assessments are recommended. The first one with just the parent(s), and the second one with parent(s) and child. With adults or a comprehensive developmental assessment we can often get through most areas in a 90-minute session, however, this can be a long meeting with lots of talking and collaboration. You can choose which would meet your needs best or please book a free 15-minute consultation and we can co-create a plan that best meets your needs and goals.
Can you complete an assessment at my child’s school?
Yes and no. Our occupational therapist can work collaboratively with you and your child to support their participation and functioning in the school environment. If your child attends a public school, the OT can provide assessments, interventions, and recommendations for you to share with your child’s teacher (and school). Our OT can collaborate with the OT through your school (if involved) or your child’s teacher as indicated to support your child in a holistic way.
If your child attends a private school, our OT can provide an onsite school assessment in addition to any other assessments that would be beneficial. A report can be completed and shared with the school.
If you homeschool your child, our OT can provide a home visit to complete an assessment supporting their participation in their academics in that environment.