Our virtually-delivered OTA therapy programs are designed to run for 6 weeks. OT-designed and prescribed, our programs are delivered by Kim (OTA), depending on the complexity of your child’s needs.
See below for the types of support programs that may be incorporated into our virtual play therapy.
Emotional Regulation
This OTA-led program helps children learn how to identify and feel their own emotions. This program also includes strategies on what to do based on what feelings they are experiencing. We use role play and game-based play to create situations where we can practice these new skills in session.
The program is based on the Zones of Regulation framework, this program aims to help individuals develop self-regulation skills by categorizing their emotions and states of alertness into four distinct colour zones: blue, green, yellow, and red.
This model was created by Leah Kuypers, and teaches strategies to manage their emotions, physiological states, and behaviours effectively. The Zones of Regulation is particularly beneficial for children but can be adapted for individuals of all ages.
Physical Regulation
Our Physical Regulation program is designed to help your child discover the movements and activities that best support their body’s regulation. This might include swinging, tumbling, or using fidget tools. An Occupational Therapist (OT) will first assess your child’s needs and recommend any necessary equipment before beginning sessions with our Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA). Kim will then guide you through using the equipment and provide at-home strategies to help your child manage their physical regulation effectively.
Our physical regulation program is based on Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT). This is an intervention approach involving providing controlled sensory input to help individuals improve their sensory processing abilities. The therapy aims to help individuals produce adaptive responses to sensory stimuli, leading to improved functional abilities.
Essentially, SIT helps improve your ability to process the world around you and react to it without feeling “out of control”.
Motor Skill Development
Your child’s gross and fine motor skills typically develop naturally, but if they begin to fall behind, targeted exercises can help them catch up. As with our other programs, an Occupational Therapist (OT) will first conduct a thorough assessment to identify the most effective exercises for your child. This assessment may include evaluating gross motor skills, fine motor skills, and primitive reflexes.
Gross motor skills are large body movements like walking, running, and jumping. Fine motor skills are things like drawing, painting, and writing. Primitive Reflexes are involuntary movements or actions typically seen in infants. These reflexes typically fade as the child grows and can intervene with the development of gross and fine motor skills they need to perform adaptive skills, like feeding themselves or following a routine.
Social Skills
Our Social Skills Program is designed to help children develop the interpersonal skills needed to build meaningful relationships and navigate social situations. Through in game-based activities and guided practice, your child will learn how to communicate effectively, interact empathetically, and understand verbal and non-verbal cues. This program is tailored to meet each child’s unique needs, empowering them to connect with others and thrive in social settings.
Depending on your child’s current social skill level, the program may focus on foundational skills such as sharing, turn-taking, and cooperative play. Alternatively, your child may participate in our PEERS program, which is designed to teach advanced social skills. Regardless of where your child is starting, this program is tailored to support their development and ensure they gain the crucial social skills they need to succeed.