Frequently asked questions

Occupational Therapists (OTs) help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through everyday activities, also known as their “daily occupations”. This means that OTs will provide intervention by engaging kids in their primary childhood occupations — PLAY and LEARNING!

We know that children develop and acquire skills at different rates and at different times. However, If your child is experiencing a delay in their ability to functionally participate in any aspect of their daily lives and routines or you are noticing differences amongst your child compared to same aged peers, it may be a good time to contact an OT for a consultation. OTs are skilled at using informal and formal clinical observation and assessment if needed to determine if your child would benefit from further support and whether or not they are performing skills at an age-appropriate level.

We believe strongly in a child’s capacity and ability to develop critical life skills and lay the foundation for learning from 0-6 years of age. However, we also recognize know that brain changes and growth are also extensive during the childhood, adolescent and teenage years (ages 7-18) when they are coming into their own and they will encounter certain obstacles and challenges that could benefit from OT support and services. Parenting is tough, children don't come into this world with a handbook. We recognize the importance of supporting, empowering and educating parents along the way. We always value and work together with a child's caregivers to learn and understand how to support their child's unique needs at home and in the community. School-based OT support provided by our team operates in partnership with community service providers under the Alberta Education umbrella and provides early intervention for children ages 2.8 years to 6.0 years of age. Children need to be assessed by an Occupational therapist to qualify for educationally based funding. Private fee for service consultations are available for any child or parent ages 0-18 years Assessments can be completed for children ages 0-18 years.

There are different fee structures and session packages available depending on what type of services you require. We believe strongly that parents and children deserve the highest quality of services and support and therefore all indirect and direct time has been built into our fees as well as travel fees (when applicable). Please contact us for a free 15 minute consultation.

The first session (in-person or virtually) is always focused on understanding why you are accessing private OT services in the first place. We want to learn more about your child's strengths, areas of need and unique gifts and talents. We also want to learn more about the home-based environment, routines and dynamics the child to learn more about how the child's current challenges may be impacting the family as a whole. The child can be present for this initial intake session but it is not required. You will also learn more about OT services and we can come up with priority areas, goals and develop a therapy plan for ongoing services. The OT will also recommend frequency of sessions as well as recommended total number of sessions to book based on availability and scheduling. Follow-up sessions may consistent of more targeted assessment, starting treatment and more importantly, building rapport and establishing a safe and trusting relationship with your child. We do all of this through PLAY! We also offer parent only consultation sessions and packages if you just want to explore your own parenting skills and learn more individualized self-regulation tools and strategies so you can better co-regulate and support your child to learn to self-regulation on their own!

All of our virtual consultations take place on a secured virtual platform that protects your information and privacy. Depending on the self-reg package, there will be between 1-3 virtual consultations and/or in-person sessions to discuss background history, areas of need and to review assessment results as well as specific and individualized strategies and recommendations for your child. Your package may or may not include a written report/summary that you will receive for your files and can then share with other professionals or to advocate for further support for your child at home, school or in the community. If you have specific needs or questions, fee for service (hourly) virtual consultations are also available. Please contact us for an information brochure.

YES! At Blossom OT Services, we believe parents are the “experts” on their child and they are a very important member of the team! We believe strongly in empowering parents with a wide variety of “tools” for their toolboxes at home to support their child in many ways. And parenting self-regulation support and tools are also available as well as we know a parent can only give to their child when they have filled up their own buckets and feel supported in every aspect of their lives too. Parent virtual and in-person self-reg consultations are available and depending on the child's age and stage of development and readiness for learning, they may or may not be involved in the consultations. Therefore, virtual consultations may be more geared toward parent education so that they can better understand and feel empowered to support their child's unique needs.

Some benefit plans do offer coverage for Occupational Therapy services. Please check with your Benefit Provider. And if OT is not on your benefits plan, please ask and advocate for that to be added in the future to cover and support your needs as a family.

Our college mandates that we follow strict COVID-19 protocols as set forth by Alberta Health Services (AHS) and requires that we wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when social distance of 2m cannot be maintained. Each member of the team completes health self-screening daily and actively ensure we stay on top of current recommendations and health protocols. Virtual / online consultations have been encouraged whenever possible in order to maintain health and safety of all individuals involved. Parents will be asked to sign a COVID consent form prior to in-person sessions.

Unfortunately at this time we are only providing school-based and fee for service consultations and will not be taking on any FSCD clients and families.