In-Home Occupational Therapy in Ottawa: How It Works and What to Expect

Ottawa OT Team

5 days ago

2 min read

With in-home occupational therapy, your child's occupational therapist comes to you. There's no drive across the city, no parking and no waiting room, and your child works on skills in the place they use them every day.

Why therapy at home

Real routines: your OT can work on dressing, mealtimes, homework set-ups and bedtime routines in your actual home.
Comfort: many children are more relaxed in a familiar space.
Privacy: sessions take place in your own space, on your family's schedule.
Family involvement: parents can see therapy in action and stay closely involved in their child's goals.

What a session looks like

Each session is 45 minutes with your child plus 15 minutes of planning and notes. Your OT brings the materials, and every session ends with a detailed written debrief so you know what was worked on. Between visits, your child's custom Bingo Book keeps practice going with activities your OT chooses for your child's goals.

Progress builds over planned blocks

Skills build with consistent practice, so therapy is planned in blocks of sessions rather than one-off visits. At the end of each block, your OT reviews progress with you and recommends next steps, either to take on the next stage of goals or to reinforce what's been worked on. See pricing and programs for the 10-session block and the Starter Package.

What your OT needs at home

You don't need special equipment. A table and chair, a quiet space with few distractions and the everyday items your child uses, like clothing, utensils or school supplies, are usually all your OT needs.

Where we come

Our occupational therapists see families across Ottawa, including Kanata, Stittsville, Nepean, Barrhaven, Orléans, Gloucester, Manotick, Greely and central neighbourhoods such as Westboro and Sandy Hill. See all our service areas, learn more about in-home OT, or read about paediatric occupational therapy in Ottawa.

Talk to an Ottawa occupational therapist

Every program starts with a free 15-minute call about your child. Call 613-797-9644 or email support@ottawaot.com. Our registered occupational therapists come to your home or your child's school anywhere in Ottawa, or meet you online.

This article is general information for parents. It isn't a diagnosis or a substitute for an assessment by a registered occupational therapist.