Fine Motor Spring Camp April/May 2016

Volunteer Call Out to Therapists for March 4 (3 pm-7 pm), March 6 (9 am-1 pm or 12:30 pm-4:30 pm) & April 9th!

Volunteer Call Out to Therapists for March 4 (3 pm-7 pm), March 6 (9 am-1 pm or 12:30 pm-4:30 pm) & April 9th!  

You Can Ride 2 (YCR2) aims to decrease barriers to cycling participation for children with disabilities.  For kids unable to ride a 2 wheeled bike, we have a couple of events coming up through our Borrow a Bike program that helps parents find the best bike for their child.  Please review the opportunities for therapists to volunteer below.  The link to sign up is here: Try A Bike and Fitting Days therapist sign up sheet

Volunteer Therapist Training Provided

Question often asked - 'does YCR2 need therapists to know about fitting bikes?' The answer is no - no previous training is needed for therapists. YCR2 provides training and help therapists learn new skills hands on. We're happy to have you shadow a seasoned volunteer and learn how the therapists and bike enthusiasts collaborate to fit the kids to their adaptive bike. 

For those interested in 2 wheeled cycling, we may be having an inservice on Saturday March 5 at Broxton Park school. Running this session is based on interest. If you are interested please email:  janine@edmontonbikes.ca  and sign up to volunteer for our Adaptive Bike Program Try A Bike and Fitting Days therapist sign up sheet

Registration for our Edmonton course (Gold Bar park, Thursday nights beginning at the end of April) is now open via our website http://www.youcanridetwo.ca/you-can-ride-two/courses/

Certificates with number of education hours and volunteer practice hours available.

Adaptive Bike program

The Adaptive Bike program has a loan pool of 120 adaptive bikes and hand cycles. In it, we partner cyclists with pediatric physiotherapists and occupational therapists to help children with disabilities ride a bike that's adapted for their needs.  We see vast improvements in cycling participation by asking lots of questions to initially match bikes,  adding modifications and adjusting each bike specifically to the child.  It’s biomechanics meets bike fit meets really happy children!

YCR2 Spring Dates 2016:

Spruce Grove (Broxton Park School: 505 MacLeod Avenue)

Friday March 4, 2016 Try a Bike day from 1-7 pm— over 95 children currently registered to attend with a parent. We're probably going to host over 150 families who will be looking for the bike that would fit their child the best. Many are coming with their community therapist, but we desperately need help for those kids whose therapist can't make it.  

Sunday March 6 Bike fitting day  from 9 am-4 pm— we will be fitting bikes to specific children. This is the day that the kids go home with the bikes.

The link to sign up is here: Try A Bike and Fitting Days therapist sign up sheet

Edmonton (location TBA)

Saturday April 9 Bike fitting day from 9 am-4 pm— we will be fitting bikes to specific children. Mechanics and therapists work as a team with physiotherapists and occupational therapists to set up each bike.    The smiles are priceless!

The link to sign up is here: Try A Bike and Fitting Days therapist sign up sheet

Thank you for helping kids ride bikes!  If you have a spouse or a friend that would like to help out but isn’t a therapist, please have them sign up here Try a Bike and Fitting days general sign up

SAOT Kim Barthel in Calgary

Register Today!   Kim Barthel, BMR, OTR   Sensation and Connection Workshop    March 11 & 12, 2016 Calgary, Alberta   Sensory processing intervention is a powerful tool supporting the development of behavioural regulation, learning and motor skills.  Current neurobiological research demonstrates that self-regulatory skills are rooted in secure early attachment between an infant and caregiver creating brain circuits that are necessary for behavioural modulation, impulse control and attentional processes necessary for learning. Combining attuned relational intervention together with sensory processing intervention offers an integrated treatment that alters the functional skills of the clients we serve.   This workshop is appropriate for professionals who serve clients across the lifespan including Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Paediatricians Social Workers, Teachers, Teaching Assistants/Aids, School Administrators. The workshop will combine an understanding of theoretical neuroscience that helps therapists develop clinical reasoning together with doable therapeutic intervention. Don't miss this opportunity to soak up Kim's skill, knowledge and enthusiasm! Here is what participants said about her workshop in Edmonton earlier this month: "Phenomenal presenter!" "Amazing and engaging." "Pertinent to my practice."

Click here for more information and to register!

Seeking PUF Services in Med Hat

We are looking for anyone who provides PUF services in Medicine Hat area. Please email Cliff at cliffc@causeandeffectfoundation.com with contact information. Thank you. 

Carol Vickery, OT
Days of work: Tues/Wed/Thurs.
403-542-5777

Math Tech Support?

I have a student in grade 7 with some FM and sensory challenges  who needs some tech support for typing his math equations in class - I am wondering if anyone has tried and found anything particularly useful.
 We have considered Mathscript but have no experience with it.
I would appreciate any suggestions - thanks so much,
Jackie
Jacqueline Schultz  B.A., Bsc.O.T. (C)
jacqueline.schultz@shaw.ca

Edmonton Meeting

Reminder! Peds Interest Group Meeting Wednesday February 3rd! See details below. 

If you are not able to attend in person, there is a teleconference line set up and you can listen in from afar. 

Call 1-844-572-5683 extension 2138368

Come join us for a presentation by Kathy Mulka, BScOT(c), MEd and Diane Hinves, Registered Psychologist. They will discuss executive functioning and occupational therapy. Kathy Mulka is a local occupational therapist, who owns and practices at Unlimited Potentials Occupational Therapy for Children; she has extensive experience in the areas of sensory integration and sensory motor. Diane Hinves is a local registered psychologist, PhD in Educational Psychology, as well as a certified and clinical marital and family therapist. Kathy and Diane frequently work together with children and families to support a holistic approach to therapy. 

Date: Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016

Time: 7 - 8:30pm

Location: U of A, Corbett Hall, Room 2-55

Please bring a small donation(~$2-3) to contribute to a thank you gift for the presenters. 

Please RSVP if you are able to attend (not required, but will give me an idea of numbers). email Kim at andrewskim22@yahoo.ca

Hope to see you there. 

Calgary Private OT

 am a full time school based therapist looking to pick up private work in the evenings and/or weekends. I have experience with school-aged children targeting fine motor skills, self-regulation, social skills, executive skills, and ADLs. Willing to travel to families' homes.


Contact info:


Jillian Franklin
jillian.franklin7@gmail.com
587-890-6199 I