An occupational therapist explains why continuity of care matters
“As an occupational therapist, a major goal is to foster children’s independence so they can for reach their goals,” says Pratibha Umrariya, who works at The Thinking Tree Occupational Therapy in South Surrey.
Pratibha works with children and youth across age groups and diagnoses, including children with autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, and other developmental disabilities.
What is pediatric occupational therapy?
Pediatric occupational therapy helps children develop the essential skills needed for daily independence, focusing on their primary “occupations”: playing, learning, and self-care. This includes developing custom strategies for children with developmental delays, injuries, or neurodivergent conditions.
But building these skills takes time. “When we’re able to see kids for a longer span of time, that continuation of care means we’re able to meet their goals in a better way,” Pratibha says. Ongoing sessions can help turn an emerging skill—such as learning how to use money, facilitating alternative communication (AAC), or managing school tasks—into something kids can do independently.
For example, Pratibha’s clinic supported a young man with autism who wanted to attend BCIT. “We worked with him throughout the process, which helped him get through the interview process and he was accepted into a mechanical engineering course,” Pratibha says.
Early, consistent support can be life-changing
And the sooner kids start, the better. Some research estimates receiving occupational therapy before age three means kids reach developmental milestones 75% faster than those who begin therapy when they’re older.
“The younger the child is, the easier it is for them to actually progress,” Pratibha says. “We try to provide intensive therapy, so that by time they reach the age of five, kids have functional communication, they’re able to dress themselves, brush their teeth, regulate their behaviour, things that are required for community living.”
Giving kids with developmental delays early support reduces the need for more intensive services later in on, making a big difference for a child’s independence and quality of life.
Variety fills funding gaps
However, kids often need support from multiple disciplines, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology. Government funding is spread thinly across these services, and once the funds are used, families must either pay privately, reduce therapy, or stop care altogether.
“The funding doesn’t adequately cover everything,” Pratibha says. “Families do need an extra source of funds to be able to get some extra sessions or extra intensive therapy if they need it.”
Pratibha says many of her client’s families don’t have extended health benefits; and often, one parent needs to stay home as full-time caregiver, making the financial pressure even greater. “A lot of them apply to Variety,” she says. “It definitely helps because then they can continue with the services. Parents and kids can actually see more progress.”
Variety’s funding plays a key role in supporting families who run out of government funding, or who are no longer eligible but still need support. Maintaining momentum and consistency in accessing services means kids can continue therapy sessions long enough to make a difference. That kind of support is life-changing, giving kids and youth greater opportunities to improve their independence and quality of life.