Early Years Program birth to school entry
Our Early Years Program is designed for children from birth to school entry. Referrals to Occupational Therapy services can be made at any time.
We use the Skyview Early Years Services model, focusing on parents as therapy partners. The Skyview model includes:
- Assessment and service planning
- Therapy sessions with a break for practice to allow skill development
- Completion of therapy with referral or transition to other programs, if needed.
We recommend considering a referral to KidsAbility for Occupational Therapy if your child:
- Appears “stiff” or “floppy”
- They have difficulty with grasping, reaching, or holding objects
- Mealtimes and feeding are a challenge
- Sensory sensitivities affect their daily life
- They struggle with self-regulation
- They exhibit unusual reactions to sensory input
- They have delayed gross or fine motor development
- Self-care skills are a concern
- There are difficulties with play, peer interactions, or attention to tasks
Or if your child is missing or late in acquiring any milestones, it’s a good idea to consider reaching out to an Occupational Therapist for an evaluation and potential support. Early intervention can make a significant difference in your child’s development.
All children in Waterloo Region and Guelph Wellington from birth to school entry.
The referral process is different depending on where you live:
- Waterloo Region – all referrals for children from birth – 21 (or completion of high school) are made directly to KidsAbility through the Intake Team (519-886-8886 ex. 1214 or 1-888-372-2259) or by filling in the online referral form.
- Guelph-Wellington – referrals differ by age:
- Ages 0-4: Contact Here4Kids at 1-844-454-3711 (or by fax: 1-844-454-3739) through Growing Great Generations, a collaboration of organizations including KidsAbility.