Calgary OT Pediatric Interest Group Meetings

Hello all,

It is that time of year again to start thinking about meeting for the Calgary OT Pead. Interest Group.  Last year we tried to meet on the last Monday evening of the month (Oct/Nov/Feb/Mar/Apr) and that seemed to work well.  I am happy to continue organizing this, however I am out of topics/people to share info.  Have you been to a course?  Read a good book?  Please email me and let me know if you can share (remember it is very informal!).  Also are there any topics people are interested in?  Would people be interested in getting together to just talk about case studies?  Let me know your thoughts :)

You can comment below this post to share ideas!

Thanks,

Carol

kids4ot@gmail.com

CAOT Insurance Rates?

Hello Everyone, …….not sure if anyone else out there has extended clinic/liability insurance through CAOT and are affected by the new change in broker.  I was just going through the renewal process and it looks like I will be paying 150$$ more for the same coverage.  If anyone else has been similarly affected by this please let me know, as I thought these changes were to reduce premiums???  Thanks.

Please comment below so that we can all contribute to the discussion.

In need of a Standing Frame

My name is Marissa and I am a Year 2 student in the University of Alberta OT program. I am completing a product evaluation for my final project, and am looking for a pediatric standing frame to utilize. I was wondering if there are any available in the Edmonton area. No damage will be made to the standing frame. I am also willing to travel to a facility, as I understand the frame will be difficult to transport. If anyone has any information with regards to how I can gain access to a standing frame, please feel free to email me at marissa1@ualberta.ca. Thank you!

Children's Autism Services of Edmonton Professional Development Opportunities

Please check out the following professional development opportunities provided by Children's Autism Services of Edmonton.  A variety of workshops are available for fall 2013 fall as well as Introductory and Advanced SCERTS training is being offered this November for a very low rate.

Maier Centre Educational Calendar Fall 2013

SCERTS Registration form

Leanne Wong, MSc(OT)(C)
Occupational Therapist
Children's Autism Services of Edmonton
Email: leanne@childrensautism.ca

MFUN needed

Hi I am looking for an M-Fun to rent from an OT for this weekend, September 29/13.  I would be able to come and pick it up and drop if off again from your location in Calgary.  Does anyone have one available?  

Thank you,

Dayna

daynajansenot@hotmail.com

PDMS needed

Hello my fellow OTs!

I know it's a busy time for all of us who are doing PUFF kids.

However I am in dire need of a Peabody assessment! Does anyone have one I can rent or borrow for a short period of time??

Thanks!

Rozmin
rjaffer7@gmail.com

Dance Class for Children with Special Needs in Edmonton Area

The Movement and Mobility Dance Class application deadline has been extended to September 18th.

Essentially this is a collaborative effort between Megan Archibald, pediatric Physical Therapist and the Beaumont dance school to provide opportunities for kids with motor delays or other developmental delays to attend an extracurricular recreation activity. Currently they are targeting the preschool/kindergarten age group however they have received at least one application for an older child and may consider different groupings depending on the applicants.

If you have families who might be interested in this opportunity please share the attached application form with them and encourage them to submit it as directed as soon as possible and to disregard the deadline dates that are on it. They have just opened the program up by providing this information to other school divisions (other than Black Gold Regional Division) via their physical therapists and occupational therapists.

If you are aware of a PUF student in your class they are the ones who are most likely to fit in the program so as your kids start to arrive in your classroom please keep this program in mind. 

Please feel free to email Megan with any questions or concerns

Visual Impediments to Learning Article

Here is a link to the officially published article: Visual Impediments to Learning

Congratulations Dr. Boulet!

ABSTRACT

Cognition, learning, and motor planning are dependent upon accurate encoding of stimuli from the environment. If there is an error in, or an impediment to, sensory perception, higher cognitive functions, such as reading, memory, emotional awareness,and impulse control can be affected.

In schools, deficiencies of the visual process impede and impair reading acquisition and learning and influence other behavior. Children are affected by different types of functional impediments to eyesight and visual function. The degree to which children are impacted varies according to the depth and nature of the impediments present, and

to some degree to socioeconomic status. Some children are at a greater disadvantage simply because of the greater visual demands of the neo-traditional classroom.

These visual impediments to learning (VIL) are rarely detected in common sight screenings and are associated with limited socioeconomic success and increased criminality.  Significant VIL limit academic and life outcomes, with some ethnicities affected by a greater prevalence of reading-impairing impediments. This presents difficulties for

various public agencies at all levels of government. To complicate matters further, children who are affected by vision difficulties will most often not report the problem, nor will VIL be detected during standard pediatric or psychoeducational assessment.

VIL are described in brief, as is how they alter children’s academic outcomes, health, and behavior. A model of sufficient vision care in the prevention and management of most vision-related learning and behavioral difficulties is proposed. The position is advanced that ensuring adequate vision management for children entering the 12-year academic cycle is a matter of fundamental human rights.

_________________________________

Dr. Charles Boulet, BEd, BSc, OD 

Developmental Optometry / Learning Consulting 

www.DVVC.ca -  Clinic

www.LearningManagement.ca

www.ConcussionDetection.com

www.MountainPostcards.com

Box 1289

Black Diamond, AB  T0L 0H0

P: (403) 933 - 5552

P: (587) 777 - 2020

F: (877) 533 - 2106

"More Than Behaviour" Workshop in Edmonton on November 16th

Private contract in NW Calgary

We are looking for an OT to work with our 5year old son, who has just started Kindergarten. We live in North West Calgary. Please call at 403.547.6547, or email.

Thank you,
Lyndsay Turner
lyndsayturner@me.com 

Book Club

Book Club !!!

Starting September-October 2013

Calm, Alert and Learning by Steward Shanker

We are three OTs from the Réseau provincial d’adaptation scolaire: multidisciplinary consulting services for the 4 francophone school districts of Alberta, encompassing both REC and SHIP.  We are planning to read and discuss  Dr Shanker’s book Calm, Alert and Learning: Strategies for self-regulation, and explore its implications for occupational therapy.  We are particularly interested in the Canadian Self-Regulation Initiative based in British Columbia that is based on the work of Dr Shanker and the late Stanley Greenspan.

If you are able to engage in a professional discussion in French, are interested in self-regulation, and would like to join us, please contact Andrea Petryk, O.T. atapetryk@reseauadaptation.ca. We are open to a multidisciplinary discussion, if you have colleagues who are interested in joining us as well. 

Club de lecture !!!

Débutant en septembre ou octobre 2013

Calm, Alert and Learning par Steward Shanker

Nous sommes trois ergothérapeutes du Réseau provincial d’adaptation scolaire, qui offre des services de consultation multidisciplinaire dans les 4 conseils scolaires de l’Alberta, incluant les services REC et SHIP. Nous entreprenons un projet de lecture et de discussion du livre Calm, Alert and Learning: Strategies for self-regulation, du Dr Shanker, pour explorer les applications de son approche en ergothérapie. Nous nous intéressons également au Canadian Self-Regulation Initiative, qui se déroule présentement en Colombie-Britannique et qui se base sur le travail de Dr Shanker et du Dr Stanley Greenspan. Si vous êtes à l'aise en français et que vous êtes intéressé  à discuter d’autorégulation,  envoyez un courriel à  Andrea Petryk, O.T. à apetryk@reseauadaptation.ca. Une discussion multidisciplinaire est également possible, si vous avez des collègues d’autres disciplines qui voudraient participer.

Occupational Therapy Positions in Airdrie Area

Are you an individual who exemplifies outstanding communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills? Do you demonstrate understanding of and commitment to learning within a 21st century education system? Are you an individual who is highly organized, a self-starter, and possesses a high degree of flexibility and confidence? Do you posses advanced technological abilities as well as sound judgement on document sensitivity and matters of confidentiality? The preceding qualities are considered as essential in order to become a strong, contributing member of Rocky View Schools.

Rocky View Schools invites applications from qualified individuals for a permanent 1.0 FTE, (35 hours/week, 1 position) or permanent 0.6 FTE, part-time (21 hours/week, 1 position) Occupational Therapist position for the Airdrie area.

As the successful candidate you possess a degree in Occupational Therapy and be registered with the Alberta College of Occupational Therapists and hold a valid practice permit. Ideally, you will have a minimum of two years experience working with young children with occupational therapy delays/disorders and collaborating with classroom teachers. You possess excellent interpersonal/organizational skills. You have the ability to establish a rapport with children as well as maintaining effective working relationships with school personnel. You will have a valid Alberta Class 5 Motor Vehicle Operators License in order to provide services to all Rocky View Schools locations.

We seek candidates possessing the following:
Previous experience working with young childrenSuccessful experience working in a school environment
As the successful candidate, you will be required to submit a current Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check. Please submit your cover letter, resume and the names and contact information of three professional references, to Lynda Hemsworth, Supervisor of Early Intervention for Rocky View Schools at lhemsworth@rockyview.ab.ca
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted

Fine Motor Camp Oct/Nov 2013 in Edmonton

Growing Changes: Occupational Therapy Services for Children presents:
Fine Motor Camp October/November 2013

A 5 week fun and interactive camp for children in Kindergarten and grades 1 - 3 who find printing, using scissors or other fine motor activities challenging. The camp will be run by two experienced pediatric occupational therapists. A multi-sensory approach will be used along with co-operative games and crafts to practice the skills needed for hand functioning. This camp is designed for children who may be experiencing mild to moderate delays in fine motor development or who would benefit from extra practice.

The camp places an emphasis on grasp development, formation of letters, legibility, review of lower case, copying, using school tools (scissors, glue) in hand manipulation skills, eye hand coordination and strength. This includes a summary report identifying individual children's strengths, areas of need, and suggestions for further skill development.

This camp will use a multi-sensory approach combining fine and gross motor movement to enhance learning. Parents are welcome to attend the first of the 5 sessions in order to help their child feel more at ease in the group and to learn how to support their child with printing practice at home.

Time: Printing Basics: 10:00 am - 11:00 am daily
When: Saturdays October 19, 26, November 2, 9, and 16
Cost: $250.00
Where: Highlands Community Centre: 6112 - 113 Avenue Edmonton, AB
Contact: Rebecca Summach at 780.965.4310 or email growingchanges@gmail.com to register.
Note: OT services may be covered depending on health plan and are tax deductible.