Occupational Therapy
WHO WE ARE:
The John McGivney Children's Centre (JMCC) Occupational Therapy team consists of Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides who provide assessment, treatment and consultation for children and youth to improve or maintain their ability to function and participate in everyday activities.
These activities may include:
- Play and school work (productivity)
- Eating, dressing, bathing, hygiene (self-care)
- Participating in activities with friends in their community (leisure)
WHAT WE DO:
- Assessment, treatment and consultation
- Individual or group therapy combined with parent education and coaching in the areas of:
- Motor development: Fine and gross motor skills, visual motor, oral motor skills (eating and swallowing)
- Sensory processing
- Self-help skills: feeding, dressing, bathing, personal care
- Play skills
- Suggestions for activities to practice at home, school or in the community
- Consultation with caregivers, other professionals and supportive personnel who also work with the child
- Promotion of participation and functioning in the home and community environment
- Recommendations for home, school and vehicle modifications for accessibility and effective functioning in all environments
- Support and training in use of adapted equipment (specialized seating, adaptive utensils, home and vehicle modifications)
OTs work with children/youth and their caregivers to build skills, use adapted equipment (special seating, adapted utensils, pencil grips, bath seats etc.) or modify tasks or the environment (home and vehicle modifications). Intervention focuses on skill development as well as on creating environments that allow the child or youth to participate as fully as possible. Intervention occurs in collaboration with the family and the whole service team.
Depending on need, therapy services are offered in the Centre, in the community or in the home.
ELIGIBILITY & REFERRALS:
Children and youth under the age of 19 and young people between the ages of 19 and 21 who remain in school and reside in Essex County are eligible for OT services. We assist children/youth with any of the following conditions and more.
- Cerebral Palsy
- Acquired Brain Injury
- Neural tube deficits including Spina Bifida
- Skeletal (bone) disorders: Achondroplasia, Osteogenesis imperfecta, Arthrogryposis, congenital or traumatic amputation
- Neuromuscular disorders: Muscular dystrophies, spinal muscular atrophy
- Metabolic, mitochondrial disorders with neurological impairment
- Cancer
- Medically fragile
- Rheumatological issues: juvenile rheumatoid arthritis etc.
- Spinal cord injury
- Developmental delay
- Fine motor delay
- Sensory processing difficulties
- Feeding difficulties
To access this service, please visit our
Intake & Referrals page. Health professionals, families and clients can submit a referral.
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS
Please see the menu at the side for helpful Occupational Therapy Tip Sheets that offer practical strategies, activities and information to promote learning and skill development for children.
