Wednesday 26 April 2017

Private OT in School

I have a family who is interested in private OT services that would include going into the school to work on printing. The child is 8 and will likely be in a small specialized classroom through Calgary Board of Education next year in the central/west of Calgary and receiving some (minimal) OT classroom support/consultation. If you offer any in-school services, could you please email me at lauren.kniivila@ahs.ca so I can add your contact information to a short list for the family.
 

Tuesday 25 April 2017

Calgary Meeting on May 12

Let's have a meeting.
Calgary OT Pediatric Interest Group 
Location: 928 Arbour Lake Rd. N.W. 
Date: Friday May 12 
Time: at 2 pm

Please contact Charlene for the room number: Cell Phone: 403 277 8508; Email: Charlene@otyyca

Agenda:

1. Setting your goals and completing your SAT - sharing, information, and discussion.
2. According to the book: Movements that heal if vestibular input is not enough, not enough tone will develop in the extensors. Is this what people are finding clinically? Do we need to get more training on this?
3. Wilbarger protocol. Please get your method checked. Joint compressions are GENTLE!
4. DCD - Pediatric OT's should feel confident in treating and helping to identify this disorder. Discuss. 
5. Reflex integration, vestibular ocular reflex, praxis, and vision skills. Are we clear and concise, yet?

Friday 21 April 2017

Online resources

I came across this article, and while they're working out a couple kinks I think, the app (Jooay) looks like a great resource for our families (and OTs in the network may have ideas of activities that could be added to  the database). Jooay is a free app that lists accessible activities for children with special needs. 
Cheers!



Private contract in Calgary

My name is Krisztina and I am looking for an occupational therapist to work with my son.  

My son is a complex kiddo with epilepsy and learning disabilities, he is 8 years old and is in grade 2.  

He recently had a Sensory Profile assessment done and the results came back to indicate that he has heightened sensory issues that play a role in most of his day.

We are looking for an occupational therapist that is able to work within the FSCD rates (max $100/hr) that has experience with supporting our son with his sensory concerns.

He currently has a psychologist on his team and a developmental aide.  We are willing to travel or to have the session in our home (Central SE Calgary).

I do have his sensory profile assessment available to share if you feel that you are able to work with our son and us.

Can you please let me know.

Thanks,
Krisztina Horn

Tuesday 18 April 2017

Ability4Good Clinical Team (Calgary, AB)



Ability4Good Clinical Team (Calgary, AB)

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
0.8 FTE – 1.0 FTE
Closing Date: May 1st, 2017

Ability4Good is looking for an Occupational Therapist to join our clinical team.  Our program provides home and community services to children (2-17 years of age) and their families.  The majority of our clients are children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disorders.  Therapy is held both in the community and at our office.  Therapy is provided following a parent teaching model with a play therapy focus.  This is a sole charge position, working within a close-knit and supportive multidisciplinary team.

Applicants who are independent and self-motivated, with strong teamwork and communication skills are encouraged to apply.  Applicants must have the ability to develop and implement service plans in collaboration with both the families and the members of the multidisciplinary team.  Applicants must have the flexibility and innovative thinking required to provide high-quality services to a culturally diverse caseload.  Applicants must also have the ability to work flexible hours (weekdays).

Responsibilities include:
·         Assess child’s strengths and needs in motor development, sensory processing and modulation, self-care skills as they relate to occupational performance
·         Develop Occupational Therapy goals as part of a multidisciplinary service plan
·         Implement Occupational Therapy intervention, including teaching parents and supervising Family Coaches
·         Complete progress reports and other relevant documentation
·         Liaise with community organizations and school therapy teams
·         Oversee the development of the Ability4Good’s multi-sensory room and supervise the sensory room program

Qualifications:
·         Undergraduate or graduate degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution
·         Current registration with Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (ACOT)
·         Alberta driver’s license and access to a vehicle
·         Experience with children with autism and/or children with disabilities a necessity

Remuneration:
·         Excellent compensation that meets or exceeds the HSAA grid, based on training and experience
·         An exciting professional development program to enhance the career of the successful candidate

Contact:
Kerry Campbell, Clinical Director

We thank all applicants for your interest. Those selected for an interview will be contacted

Wednesday 12 April 2017

Part-time OT position at New Heights in Transition to Adulthood Pilot Project

New Heights Home and Community Support (HCS) Program gives students and their families the extracurricular support they need to be successful in their homes and the community. The Transitioning to Adulthood branch works with young adults and their families through the transition from school to adulthood in 5 key areas: Employment, Post Secondary transitions, Independent Living/Housing, Daily Social Environments, and Mental Health resourcing. We work with young adults, age 17-25 with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We are a program that utilizes the strengths and interests of each young adult and family to address developmental goals and the individual’s and their family’s priorities.
The Transitioning to Adulthood branch is a pilot project starting June 2017.
New Heights currently requires one part time Home and Community Support Coordinator to oversee all aspects of the HCS Transitioning to Adulthood program.
The Home and Community Support Coordinator’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Initial intake and ongoing coordination of service delivery for each individual and their family
  • Identify individual’s needs in each area of transition, ensure that each individual’s Individual Service Plan meets the individual’s needs and priorities, as well as takes into account parent priorities, coordinate with the individual’s school program where applicable
  • Hire, train, mentor, and manage all program staff and subcontract staff, including their annual professional reviews
  • Oversee events to facilitate family-to-family networking and support (ie. Parent Education Series, etc).
  • Liaison with New Heights School administrative team
  • Maintain positive collaborative working relationships with individuals, agencies, and organizations involved with individuals with ASD and their families
  • Participate in ongoing program development, strategic planning, and annual outcomes reporting
  • Ensure current working knowledge of resources, research, and literature related to ASD
Qualifications:
  • Master’s degree in Social Work, Disability Studies, Occupational Therapy, or related field preferred
  • Minimum of two years’ experience working within the ASD community
  • Experience in managing and coordinating individualized service delivery programs
  • Working knowledge of child development and play-based models for ASD intervention
  • Strong leadership, organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills
  • Demonstrated clinical skills (individual, parent, family, multidisciplinary therapy team), coupled with the ability to be self-directed, highly motivated and work effectively in a team environment.
If working in an intimate, family-centered program among a team of passionate, committed professionals supporting and empowering families with children with ASD is of interest to you, please submit your resume to:
Brent Williams, Executive Director  brent.williams@newheightscalgary.com
Resumes will be received until noon Wednesday, May 8, 2017. The position will begin as early as possible in June.
Posting can also be found here

Tuesday 11 April 2017

Update on AROGA Technologies - in receivership

AROGA Technologies (www.aroga.com), with offices in BC, AB, ON & QC went into receivership at the end of February 2017.

Unfortunately, AROGA’s website or Facebook page does not indicate any issues or updates on this; the toll-free number just rings and rings; and no bounce back on email enquiries.

I just spoke to one of their past regional reps and was advised to contact the manufacturer of the item you have or want to know more about directly. They will be able to direct you to an alternate distributor in Canada/North America or assist you directly

Explorers: A speech, occupational and social skills therapy camp

Info can be found here.

Monday 3 April 2017

CherringtonSawers Summer Camps 2017

Developmental Summer Camps from CherringtonSawers in Calgary.

Info can be found here

Healing Shame Workshop

Healing Shame Workshop information can be found here.

School AMP Training Interest?

I was wondering if some members of the group could be interested in the School AMPS training to be done in Alberta https://innovativeotsolutions.com/tools/scamps ) or if anyone trained in the School AMPS would share his/her opinion in the training and use of the assessment.

Thanks!

Patricia