NATUREWISE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY & WELLNESS
Kids Occupational Therapy
Are you noticing your child struggling with their day-to-day activities? Are there challenges with participating in routines, managing emotions, and attempting difficult tasks? Does your child appear clumsy or uncoordinated in daily activities? Do certain environments seem to cause your child stress?
We can help!
Naturewise offers nature-based Occupational Therapy (OT) assessment and treatment in Calgary for children to support skill development and help kids feel more confident in their everyday activities. We look at what may be getting in the way of your child's participation and explore ways we can support engagement in those activities that are most meaningful to your child and family.
Contact us to discuss our services and if we would be a good fit for your child and family. Occupational Therapy services typically involve 1-2 assessment sessions followed by a block of treatment focused on goals set collaboratively with the therapist and family. Naturewise OT is experienced in supporting children aged 5-12 with a variety of neurodevelopmental and mental health diagnoses (ADHD, ASD, Anxiety, Developmental Coordination Disorder, Developmental Delays), however children who do not have a diagnosis may also benefit from nature-based Occupational Therapy services.
Naturewise is unique because we provide all Occupational Therapy treatment sessions outdoors in local parks.
Currently we offer Occupational Therapy services Monday - Friday between the hours of 9:00 am - 3:30 pm.
Why do therapy outdoors?
Because our brains love nature...
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Play = Learning
We have come to learn that our brains learn best through play experiences! Nature-based Occupational Therapy for kids targets skill development in a variety of areas through outdoor play. The outdoors offers so many opportunities to support child-led play and exploration, including risky play in a supported environment. We target skill development to support a child and family's goals - while having fun at the same time!
02
Natural Challenges
Think of the outdoors as the Occupational Therapy clinic for kids. Nature provides many opportunities for skill development - all through exploration and play. Natural environments provide multi-sensory experiences that are often regulating to the nervous system. They also offer challenges that are new and unpredictable (just like life!). Fine and gross motor skills, managing sensory input, cognitive and emotional regulation skills can all be supported in nature-based Occupational Therapy for kids.
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Evidence-based Health Outcomes
Research supports spending time outdoors improves the mental and physical health of kids. Time outside has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and increase our concentration, psychological resiliency and physical activity. Participating in occupational therapy outdoors can target your child's specific goals - all while soaking up the overall health benefits of just being outdoors. We are certified in the ConTiGO (Connection & Transformation in the Great Outdoors) Approach - an evidence-based framework for best practice in pediatric therapy in nature.
04
Nature Connection
In an ever-changing and busy world, it can be challenging to spend as much time outdoors as we'd like to. Studies have looked at time spent outdoors and its impact on how connected we feel to the natural environment. It's no surprise that time outdoors has been shown to increase a child's connection to nature which translates into adults who value the protection of the environment. A pretty cool outcome to consider when raising little humans!
Kids OT
What to Expect
Contact Us
Complete the form to request OT services through Naturewise. We'll be in touch to discuss services, rates and any questions you may have (15 minutes). We will also schedule an intake call.
Intake Call
Comprehensive intake assessment to discuss your child's history, strengths, challenges and OT goal areas (60 minutes).
OT Assessment & Treatment Block
We will then schedule and provide nature-based OT assessment and treatment sessions. Sessions are typically weekly and 50 minutes long.
Conclude OT
After participating in agreed upon nature-based OT treatment sessions, we will discuss progress toward goals and plan for next steps. An OT Summary report will be provided at the conclusion of services. If you require a comprehensive Occupational Therapy report for diagnostic or educational program planning purposes, an additional fee will apply.