October is National Occupational Therapy month and we’re recognizing the health-care professionals and clinicians who dedicate their days to working with clients with disabilities and developmental differences to, not only meet their functional goals, but optimize meaningful participation in their lives.
Holland Bloorview’s occupational therapy team consists of 55 occupational therapists and 18 combined trained occupational therapy and physiotherapy assistants who work in inpatient, ambulatory and community departments across the hospital.
What do Occupational Therapists do?
Occupational therapists (OT) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) help maximize the ability of each individual to perform self-care, participate in work or school, or build skills that support leisure, participation and fun! They help individuals—including those with disabilities and developmental differences—learn and re-learn skills needed to live independent/interdependent, meaningful and connected lives.
This October, we invite our community to celebrate the transformational impact OTs and OTAs have on the lives of the children and families we serve at Holland Bloorview.
Meet members of the team
At Holland Bloorview, our OTs and OTAs work with kids to help them develop crucial skills required in everyday lives, from holding a spoon to strengthening fine motor, sensory, and visual motor skills needed in one’s daily life.
| Kim Hurda Occupational therapist, complex continuing care (CCC) and specialized orthopedic and developmental rehab (SODR) units |
“My favourite aspect of being an occupational therapist is helping clients and their families return to their homes safely, or sometimes go from the hospital to home for the first time. Each day brings a new set of challenges to solve for, sometimes with different types of equipment and other times with different approaches to daily tasks. To be an OT is to balance incredibly rewarding and challenging scenarios, all in the name of improving my clients’ quality of life.” | |
| Aleah Johnson |
"As an occupational therapist, I have the immense privilege of contributing to clients’ journeys to self-discovery and understanding. Some of my favourite moments are our conversations about sensory processing, which can assist clients in gaining deeper insight into how they perceive and process information from their environment, and how this impacts their overall well-being. In a consultative role, I am able to work with many clients and families, collaborating with each of them to develop holistic, personalized strategies that encourage growth while emphasizing their strengths. Knowing that our time together can help set clients and their families on a path of self-appreciation and increased engagement in their day-to-day lives is incredibly fulfilling both personally and professionally." | |
| Jill Gilders |
“Working as an OTA provides a diverse range of roles and opportunities to work collaboratively to help clients and their families work toward meaningful goals. There is a daily sense of fulfillment and humbling that comes from watching the resiliency and progress of the clients. Whether it’s witnessing the sense of freedom and joy on the face of a child driving a power wheelchair for the first time in the IET program or watching a youth confidently meet with a job supervisor in the employment pathways program.” | |
| Madison Lazarou |
“Being an occupational therapist (OT) means empowering people to live their best life, whatever that may look like for them! Every day is different. I love collaborating with children and families to support independence and enable participation in daily activities. It’s a joy to see the excitement when mastering new skills. My job is diverse, creative and incredibly rewarding. I get to work with little superstars every day, and I love it. I can’t imagine doing anything else!” | |
Want to learn more about occupational therapy at Holland Bloorview?
Follow along on Holland Bloorview’s social media platforms (LinkedIn, X, Instagram and Facebook) throughout the month to learn more.
