FAQ - Forest Kids OT

Who is Forest Kids OT for?

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• Children aged 4 - 9 years old with any occupational therapy goal, such as emotional regulation, peer relationships, anxiety, motor skills, balance and coordination, executive function or sensory processing.
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• Children must be able to safely stay with the group with an adult ratio of 1:3.
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• We seek to provide inclusive, neurodiversity affirming care.

What types of activities will my child do at Forest Kids OT?

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• We plan a mix of structured activities and facilitated free play during sessions. Your child might be digging in the mud, balancing on a log, doing a scavenger hunt, searching for slugs, or doing an art activity. To them, it all feels like a fun adventure but they are working toward therapy goals!

How is this different from an outdoor enrichment program? What makes this therapy?

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• An assessment is done prior to the group beginning including collaborative goal setting with families to guide the intervention planning. Each session is carefully designed using evidence based OT practice, taking the different goals of each child into account. Weekly updates on the group will be emailed to families and a report including ongoing recommendations will be made at the end of the 9 week session.

How many children and therapists are in the group?

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• There are 1-2 occupational therapists facilitating the group, and a minimum 3:1 child-to-adult ratio.

Do you run rain or shine?

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• Yes! We don’t cancel for rain. We can provide recommendations to families on rain and cold weather gear. We truly believe “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing”.

• The only exception would be for hazardous weather such as high winds, thunder and lightning or poor air quality.

Is there any funding available?

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• Forest kids OT is unable to subsidize or fund any programs at this time, but there are organizations that provide funding in BC for private OT, including Variety and CKNW Kids Fund.

Does my child need a diagnosis to attend?

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• No, your child does not need a diagnosis to attend.
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Occupational therapy's focus is on function and our primary goal is to work with children and families on specific skills regardless of diagnosis.
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• We may see children with ADHD, high sensitivity, sensory processing disorder, autism, or developmental coordination disorder, among others.

How do I know if my child is ready for a group therapy model?

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• Your child is ready if they have therapy goals and are safe to be in a small group with a 1:3 adult to child ratio. They will be supervised at all times but will not be in arms reach of an adult at all times and must not be a flight risk or have any other safety concerns for themselves or other members of the group.

Where is Forest Kids located?

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Our program is located in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, a spectacular and rugged landscape that is a short drive from metro Vancouver. Forest Kids OT has permits to run in this location.

Is this a drop-off program or do parents attend?

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• Parents are encouraged to drop-off their children to maximize the opportunity for peer interactions, but are welcome to attend until their children feel comfortable attending independently.

Can I use extended health or a healthcare spending account?

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• Yes, many extended healthcare plans or healthcare spending accounts cover occupational therapy services. Please contact your extended healthcare provider to find out your coverage. A receipt will be provided for reimbursement after program fees have been paid.

What happens if my child misses a session?

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• As with most groups, missed sessions are not eligible for a refund.

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