Frequently Asked Questions

What is Occupational Therapy ? 

Occupational Therapy is a regulated health profession that requires a Master’s degree. Occupational Therapists must obtain a Master’s of Science, and it is during that time that we learn extensively about the art and science of the human experience. OT’s are trained to promote participation and engagement of meaningful activities that give people’s lives purpose. We provide assessment and treatment for the following : self-regulation, sensory processing, executive functioning, and motor skills. 

What is executive functioning? 

It is the term used to describe a set of skills that underlie our ability to plan ahead, meet goals and follow step by step directions. Executive functioning involves attention, impulse control and memory. Children are not born with executive functioning skills but born with the potential to develop them. Some children need more support in this area than others. 

What are motor skills? 

Motor skill are the muscle movements that we use daily. Motor skills require coordination of the muscles and the nervous system. We have three types of motor skills - fine, gross and visual. We need our motor skills to interact with the world around us. 

What are fine motor skills?

Fine motor skills are the movements of our hands and feet. They use the smallest muscles and require alot of precision. Common fine motor skills are writing, doing up zippers, cutting with scissors, beading. 

What are gross motor skills?

Gross motor skills use the larger muscles of our body such as the arms, legs and core. Common gross motor skills are running, throwing a ball, and climbing stairs. 

What are visual motor skills? 

Visual motor skills involve the communication between our eyes and our body movements. It involves the movement, and perception of our eyes and our fine and gross motor skills. 

What is social and emotional wellbeing ? 

Social emotional wellbeing is self-and-community-awareness, understanding our own emotions and the emotions of others, and building and maintaining healthy relationships. 

What is self-regulation? 

Self regulation is a balance and connection in all aspects of our being - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. To regulate, we need to connect with and form a deep relationship with self to know who we are, what we came on this Earth to experience and what our needs are.

What is sensory processing? 

Sensory processing is the organization of sensory information from the body and the external world that allows a person to interact effectively with their physical and social environments. We have 8 sensory systems and we use these systems to understand our environment.