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Richmond School-Aged Therapy

School-aged therapy through the Richmond Pediatric Team offers services such as occupational therapy and physiotherapy for children and youth with neurodevelopmental delays. These services are available to students attending a Richmond public school, from kindergarten through the end of high school.

What to expect

Occupational Therapy (OT), Physiotherapy (PT) are part of the Richmond School-Aged Therapy. The type of therapy your child receives may vary, depending on their needs. 

The goal of school-aged therapy in schools is to help children take part in daily activities, feel included and have the support to reach their highest level of independence at school, at home, and in their community.

Richmond school-aged therapy includes: 

  • Give consultation, education and training to schools for children who need support from an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist, helping them take part and feel included at school.
  • Teach and support school staff to assist children with neurodevelopmental delays, such as helping with wheelchair and toileting transfers, safe mobility, modified feeding, adapted physical education, and alternative positioning.

Learn more below about what each therapy includes. 

  • Occupational Therapy

    Occupational Therapy (OT) provides: 

    • Oral motor skills and safe feeding procedures.
    • Getting equipment to support positioning and mobility needs e.g. wheelchairs, bath seats, commodes, specialized beds and mattresses, etc.
    • Self-care skills such as toileting, dressing.
    • Specific musculoskeletal needs and associated equipment to support postural alignment and joint protection (including implementation of hand, wrist or elbow splints).
    • Fine motor skill development e.g. printing and cutting.
    • Participation in learning activities through the use of assistive technology (e.g. specialized computers/communication devices) and environmental controls.
    • Home and school accessibility.
    • Sensory processing such as significant challenges with sensory regulation impacting participation in school.
    • Short-term support after discharge from hospital.

  • Physiotherapy

    Physiotherapy provides assessment of and consultation for:

    • Getting equipment to support positioning and mobility needs, such as wheelchairs, walkers, standing frames, lifts and slings, orthoses etc.
    • Assistance or support with walking and mobility and falls prevention, such as transferring, stairs, use of gait aids
    • Specific musculoskeletal needs and associated equipment to support postural alignment, joint protection, and mobility such as AFOs, TLSOs, Benik vests etc.
    • Creating a safe and accessible environment at home and school.
    • Support with fatigue, energy conservation and pain management.
    • Modifications to the standard physical education program and specialized support for recreation and leisure activities.
    • Short-term support after discharge from hospital.
    • Cardiorespiratory support such as energy conservation, secretion clearance, and assisted cough

How to access

If the information you are looking for cannot be found on this page, please get in touch with the Richmond Paediatric Team about these services directly at 604-233-3150 or email rhspeds@vch.ca. A health-care professional will discuss the child's needs, eligibility and the referral process.

  • Check eligibility

    This service is available to children in kindergarten through the end of high school who attend Richmond public schools. The team does not provide direct ongoing services or outpatient therapies. 

    If your child attends private school, please contact the school directly for information about available private services to support their needs. 

    If your child is home schooled through public schools, please connect with your school team for support.

  • Get a referral

    A referral is required for these services. We accept referrals from multiple types of health-care providers, community members and parents. 

    Please note: Occupational therapy referrals to support sensory processing concerns come directly from the school district.

Resources

How to get here

Richmond Paediatric Team members primarily see clients in their homes, schools and communities. Occasionally clients may come to our offices at Richmond Place for services.

  • Parking access to the parkade driveway is only available when driving East on Granville Avenue.
  • Limited paid parking is available onsite, on the first two levels of the parkade – Pay machine is on the first level.
  • Free street parking is also available close to the building on Bennett Street. 

The office is accessible by transit on the #404 bus, and various bus lines arrive nearby. The office is close to the Richmond-Brighouse stop on the Canada Line.

Learn about the location

Richmond Place – 8100 Granville Avenue

Richmond Place at 8100 Granville Avenue in Richmond, B.C. is the location of various VCH services and programs that serve the Richmond community.

Learn about the service

School-Age Therapy

School-age therapy provides services such as occupational therapy and physiotherapy to children and youth who have neurodevelopmental delays. These services are for students in public school, from kindergarten to the end of high school.