Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists at CHEO help children and youth learn skills and behaviours that maximize their independence. Our team helps children live their best life, daily. We work to increase children's quality of life using a family-centred approach.

Programs, clinics and services

Our occupational therapists support:

Mental Health and Physical Medicine inpatient and outpatient services
Plastics clinic
Feeding clinic
Seating and mobility
Chronic pain
Augmentative communication
Neuromuscular clinic
Community preschool program

We are also active in the community and provide services to schools and pre-schools in our area, like our STEPS mental health day treatment program.

Feeding Program

Our Comprehensive OT (Occupational Therapy) Feeding Program promotes safe, nutritional and pleasurable meal times for children and families. CHEO provides this service to children from birth to 18 years.

When should I refer a patient to the Feeding Program? Consider a referral to us if the child:

is fussy at meal times
refuses food constantly
gags, chokes, vomits or coughs when liquids or foods are given
is not growing as expected (failure to thrive).

What services does the Feeding Program provide? After an evaluation, we’ll develop a plan that may include:

individual treatment sessions
group parenting sessions
written strategies and follow-up
referral to community services
liaison with family physician
recommendations for more testing

Watch our videofluoroscopy swallow/feeding study video.

Our team

The initial assessment and ongoing monitoring will help us determine which professionals need to be involved. The care team may include:

Dietitian
Developmental Pediatrician
Occupational Therapist
Rehabilitation Assistant
Psychologist
Family Physician (referral source)
Speech-Language Pathologist

Make a referral

Fax the referral to Occupational Therapy at CHEO: Fax # 613-738-4893 We will:

Review all outpatient referrals
Coordinate the Comprehensive Feeding Services
See patients on an inpatient or outpatient basis

Questions? Contact our OT Administrative Assistant: 613 737-7600 extension 2702.

Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm

Treatment and consultation areas

An assessment, treatment or consultation can offered by an occupational therapist in the following areas:

Everyday activities

Feeding and eating
Sleep and sleep hygiene
Dressing and undressing
Self-care

Play and social engagement

Sensory processing/regulation

Home, daycare, school and community participation

Home and school accessibility assessments
Mobility and positioning
Access to technology
Gross motor function

Physician referrals

Some services require a physician's referral. Contact our Access Team for more information at 613-737-2757 or 1-800-565-4839.