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Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy

Physiotherapist and occupational therapists are key members of the many teams and programs supporting children with disabilities.

Occupational Therapists assist in these areas:

  • Fine motor skills, such as coordination for using pencils, paper, scissors and crayons
  • Sensory regulation—paying attention, staying alert, understanding and coping with sensory environments
  • Self-care skills—eating, dressing, using the toilet
  • Play, adaptive skills and learning styles
  • Access to buildings, environmental modifications
  • Specialized equipment needs
  • Use of technology and computer access

Physiotherapists assist in these areas:

  • Motor skills, such as catching and throwing, running, jumping and balance
  • Muscle tone, flexibility and strength
  • Balance and coordination
  • Mobility—movement within the school and community (walking, use of wheelchair and walking aids
  • Recreation and leisure activities adapting and modifying games for success and enjoyment
  • Specialized equipment needs

At the Rehabilitation Centre for Children, occupational therapists and/or physiotherapists work in the following programs or services:
Clinics
Outreach Therapy – Children’s Therapy Initiative
School Therapy Services
Computer Assessment
Specialized Communication Resources for Children

On-Site Therapy

Referrals to this program are received directly from the specialty clinics at RCC, as well as from the Central Intake service for the Winnipeg Children’s Therapy Initiative partnership.

Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists help children with disabilities to develop or improve their motor skills. Service is in the form of exercise, education, consultation, or the recommendation of adaptive equipment.

Activities may include:

  • Exercises for strength, balance or range of motion
  • Gait (walking) training
  • Correcting posture
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Training in the use of assistive technology
  • Home program recommendations

Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapists help children with disabilities to function as independently as possible within the child’s environment.

Activities may include:

  • Training in the use of assistive technology
  • Adapting materials and tools for use by the child
  • Home program recommendations