September 22nd, 2022

 

Dear Parents/Guardians, 

During this school year, an Occupational Therapist (OT) from KidsAbility Centre for Child Development will be working with students and teachers in our school.  

OTs are health professionals who focus on activities of daily living: at school, they look at how students are managing with taking part in classroom activities.  OTs work with the school team to support students by promoting functional skills such as printing, cutting with scissors, play skills, self-help, self-regulation, and participation in gym.

As of September 2022, an OT will be in our school on a regular basis to support teachers in our classrooms, gym and playground. All classrooms will have access to this support. The OT may visit your child’s classroom to support teaching activities like a daily fitness routine or functional classroom skills. The OT may also suggest universal (general) strategies to the classroom teachers that can be used by all students. Examples of these strategies may include ideas to improve pencil grasp and cutting skills and using various lined paper to improve written work. The OT may also offer suggestions regarding proper positioning at the desk, focus in the classroom, and movement breaks. 

Some students may benefit from individualized support from the OT. This may include working with the OT one-on-one or in a group at school or working on activities at home. If your child would benefit from this individual support, your teacher will contact you to provide more information. Alternatively, you may also contact the teacher at any time if you feel your child might benefit from having the OT work with them. 

In some instances, the OT may suggest the support from a school-based Physiotherapist (PT), if gross motor skills are a concern at school. The PT may also be in your child’s class to support classroom needs. 

If you have any questions about this model of service, please feel free to follow up with your child’s teacher or contact me.

Mary Sue Meredith

Principal – Westvale Public School 

519-746-6724

Categories: Schools