Occupational therapy is tailored to each child’s strengths and needs, with a focus on building confidence, independence, and meaningful participation in everyday activities. Sessions are individualized and designed to support skills that carry into home, school, and daily routines.
Areas of Support
Move, Learn & Grow
Helping children build confidence in play, learning, and everyday skills.
- Fine, gross, and visual motor skills
- Handwriting and school readiness
- Coordination, strength, balance, and motor planning
- Attention and participation in learning
- Primitive reflex integration
Feel, Regulate & Cope
Support for big emotions, sensory needs, and regulation challenges.
- Sensory processing and sensory integration
- Emotional regulation and coping skills
- Self-regulation and behaviour support
- Flexibility and frustration tolerance
Everyday Independence
Greater independence in daily routines, from dressing to mealtimes.
- Self-care skills (dressing, toileting, hygiene)
- Executive functioning (planning, routines, organization)
- Participation in home and school routines
- Feeding and mealtime challenges (including selective eating)
How We Work Together
Support is child-led and strengths-based, with a focus on building meaningful skills through everyday activities and routines. Sessions are individualized and take place in the home environment, allowing strategies to be practical and naturally integrated into daily life. Caregivers are an essential part of the process, and support always includes clear, realistic strategies that can be carried over between sessions.
Support may include direct therapy, parent coaching, or a combination of both depending on your child’s needs.
What To Expect
1. Initial contact — Reach out by email or book a complimentary 15-minute phone call to discuss your concerns. Based on your child’s needs, the most appropriate starting point will be recommended, which may include a full initial assessment or a developmental consultation. After booking, you will be sent a short intake package to complete. This helps ensure clear understanding of your child's needs and allows the initial session to be as meaningful and focused as possible.
2. Developmental consultation — A focused support session designed to provide guidance, strategies, and recommendations without completing a full assessment. This may include discussion of concerns, review of developmental needs, and practical strategies for home and daily routines.
3. Initial assessment (in-home) — An in-home visit that may include standardized and/or non-standardized assessments, clinical observation, parent interview, and caregiver questionnaires. In some cases, this may take place over two visits depending on your child’s needs. Following the assessment, a 1–2 page summary of findings and recommendations is provided, followed by a 30-minute virtual review meeting to discuss results and next steps.
4. Ongoing support — Based on occupational therapy recommendations and your child’s needs, ongoing support options may include direct therapy, parent coaching, or a combination of both. The approach is flexible and tailored to your family’s goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an occupational therapist provide a diagnosis?
Occupational therapists are not qualified to provide diagnoses. If you are concerned your child may need a formal diagnosis, your pediatrician or family doctor is a good starting point.
Do you accept insurance?
Lisa OT does not direct bill or submit claims to insurance providers. A receipt will be provided after each session if you would like to submit for reimbursement through your private insurance.
What do I tell my child?
Keep it simple and positive! Some families describe it as play or exercise. A calm and encouraging approach can go a long way in helping your child feel comfortable meeting someone new in their own space.
What should I prepare for the first appointment?
Before the assessment, you will receive a few documents to complete and return ahead of time. During the session, everything needed will be provided — just make sure your child or teen is dressed comfortably and ready to get started!