Mental Health & Occupational Therapy practice serving Edmonton and Winfield/Buck Lake, Alberta.
Let's Eat! Feeding Therapy🍊
I teased in May (May!) that something was brewing ☕and it's finally here 😄
Let's Eat! Is here to help families with children with eating challenges. Whether you have a toddler struggling with their bottle🍼, a toddler fighting solids 🍎, or teens who live on carbs alone🍞 Let's Eat! is here to help🫶
On The Go Therapy's doors remain open 🚪with some exciting changes coming soon.
We haven’t forgotten about this Instagram account, and we haven’t folded, we’ve just been ridiculously busy!
On The Go Therapy has been hard at work doing assessments at various Edmonton Catholic Schools for students having difficulties with movement skills, handwriting, sensory processing, visual motor integration, executive functioning, and more! And with June fast approaching we’re going into intensive report writing season 📝
So we’ll continue to be short on updates for the remainder of the school year but watch out for us in July when we’ll have some exciting announcements 📣
It's Autism Acceptance Day!
If you thought it was called , you are not mistaken but many in the autism community and their allies agree we are far past awareness. Most people are aware autism exists- so our next step is accepting and celebrating the different perspectives and experiences autistic people bring to our world!
If you'd like to join in the acceptance and celebration consider checking out and donating to autistic lead not for profts like Autism Self- Advocacy Network (ASAN), Autism Canada, or Autism United; and using the hashtags and when discussing online.
Professional development with my favourite Ped 💙
Happy International Women's Day! This year's theme is because aiming for equality just isn't cutting it!
To celebrate I did what I do best, critical reflection! Occupational therapists are predominately female and that should be celebrated (especially on ) but we are also predmoniately white and middle class and that should be acknowledged and addressed.
As occupational therapists we can by supporting affirmative action policies, confronting our own biases, and working to the profession.
Live from today’s office 🚘
Occupational therapists help people do things they want and need to do, this includes hair care and hygiene but learning about hair care is not something I have even seen highlighted in conversations about occupations, or in conversations about cultural safety.
Different hair requires different care but do all occupational therapists, nurses, healthcare aides, and other front line self-care providers know how to provide this care? Using myself as an example, no. I recall the first time I had a client with self care goals and coarse and curly (3C) hair, and I realized nothing that applied to my straight fine (1A) hair was going to work for them. It was a completely different approach and if I had not learned that I could have damaged not only their hair but their sense of self and self-esteem.
“Respect your hair;” but also, respect others hair.
Sources
Afrocenchix "Afro Hair Care - The Ultimate Guide for 2022"
American Academy of Dermatology Association "Black Hair: Tips for Everyday Care"
The history of Swimming and Black Canadians has a subtler history than our American counterparts but subtle does not mean fair and just.
A Snapshot of Swimming and Black Albertans.
1923: The Edmonton city commissioners issued an order barring Black people from using city swimming pools.
1924: The order barring Black people from using Edmonton city pools is rescinded but tensions remain with some white people refusing to share pools with black people.
1948: A private pool manager in Calgary refused entrance to a Black girl on the basis of race. He was within his legal rights to do so.
1980: Debbie Armstead is the first Black Canadian swimmer to qualify for the Olympics. Unfortunately due to Canada's boycott she was unable to compete but did compete in the 1982 FINA World Championships.
2022: Debbie Armstead remains absent from the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame
...................................................................................................................................................
References:
https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/aug-28-1924-racism-colours-the-opening-of-two-new-city-swimming-pools
https://www.swimming.ca/en/news/2021/02/26/celebrating-black-history-month-meet-debbie-armstead-canadas-first-black-national-team-swimmer/?fbclid=IwAR15R2W3T5r7MJaEVoHrB10uba3UYVx8NANAc5Vox-ZOMmndZ9SUc_oIcio
It is Black History Month!
It's a time to learn about the contributions and achievements of Black Canadians. It is also an excellent time to reflect on our place in history and how we can keep moving forward towards racial equality.
This month we will be endeavouring to do both! Follow along as we highlight achievements of Black Canadians, and also the inequalities that are still experienced (all related to occupations).
Therapy is more than a venting session: it's a chance to take control and create the life you want.
In therapy you'll typically do one to three of the following
🔶 Process your experiences
🔶 Plan your next steps
🔶 Practice skills that will help you achieve your goals
Call or email us today if you'd like more information about what to expect from therapy.
On The Go Therapy proudly offers Two Spirit & LGBTQ+ Affirming Care!
References:
"Progress Flag"- Daniel Quasar (xe/xyr), 2018
North Dakota State University "LGBT Affirmative Therapy" adapted from Rock, M., Carlson, T. S., & McGeorge, C. R. (2010). Does affirmative training
matter? Assessing CFT students’ beliefs about sexual orientation and their level of affirmative training. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 36(2), 171-184.
Recommended:
"Being Two-Spirit and trans in Canada: How colonization shaped the way we view gender diversity" Paula Tran. Global News June 8, 2022
Therapy does not have to be limited to talking in an office. Activities like swimming, going for coffee, or reading a book can be therapuetic and help you achieve your goals!
Do you struggle with having fun?
Recreation and leisure play a major role in maintaining our mental wellness yet they are one of the first things we cut back on when we're busy or sick, and it can be hard to get back to it. That's what we're here for! If you need help finding and adding fun to your life contact us today.
This is why we believe in Neurodiversity-Affirming Care.
Why be 'normal' when you can be amazing?
On The Go Therapy provides neurodiversity-affirming care!
Reference: Dallman, A. R., Williams, K. L., & Villa, L. (2022). Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices are a Moral Imperative for Occupational Therapy. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 10(2), 1-9
On The Go Therapy is now offering Infant Feeding Therapy!
Did you know that it's estimated that 25-40% of infants experienced feeding challenges? With that number increasing drastically if the child is premature or has a medical condition? Yet there are limited options for feeding therapy supports. If your family is struggling with infant feeding call us today to discuss your options for care.👩🍼🧑🍼
Announcement! On The Go Therapy is now direct billing Medavie Blue Cross!
Medavie is the federal blue cross provider and provides health insurance for the Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Veterans Affairs Canada, Interim Federal Health Program.
Today we remember the lives lost to anti-transgender violence and we, as allies, challenge ourselves to learn more and do more.
If you want to learn more and do more to be an effective ally to the trans community we recommend checking out https://straightforequality.org/trans and their aptly named "Guide to being a trans ally."
If your mental health is interfering with your ability to meet your education goals, you should call an OT!
Mental illness, trauma, and neurodivergent conditions like autism and ADHD can make school FEEL impossible but it does not need to BE impossible. An occupational therapist can support with learning skills and implementing strategies to improve study skills, time management, motivation, and more!
On November 11th we remember those who have served and who continue to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces.
The establishment of occupational therapy is embedded in the history of the Armed Forces and it remains our honour to serve the men and women who have served our country.
P.S. On November 8th we remembered those who served but whose service was intentionally over looked for too long. On Indigenous Veterans Day we remembered the First Nation, Metis, and Inuit people who served and continue to serve this country and the sacrifices they have made.
Winter has arrived in Edmonton!
For many winter brings along an unwanted guest: seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you are experiencing SAD, a form of seasonal depression, it is important to talk to your healthcare team about appropriate treatment.
It's also important to remember the basics: drink water, eat, get sunlight. Remember, You're basically a houseplant with more complicated emotions🪴
🍬Happy Halloween🍬
It's World Occupational Therapy Day 🎉
A day to celebrate occupational therapy and a day for reflection.
The theme this year, "Opportunity + Choice = Justice", is a reminder to OTs that if our practice it is not actively anti-oppressive, it is incomplete. We can provide our clients with choice but if they do not have opportunities then there is no justice.
References:
Townsend, E. & Wilcock, A.A. (2004). Occupational justice and client-centred practice: A dialogue in progress. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy
Wilcock, A.A. & Townsend, E.A. (2009). Occupational justice. Willard & Spackman’s Occupational Therapy.
The establishment of occupational therapy as a discpline was strongly influenced by the needs of the time: specifically, supporting soliders returning from WW1 with reintegrating into civilian life.
Soliders returning from active duty would present with multiple complex conditions including amputations, shell shock (PTSD), anxiety, depression, chronic pain, insomnia, muscle pains, and traumatic brain injury to name a few. Occupational therapists were able to work with a solider, regardless of their presenting conditions, and help them rebuild a meaningful life on Canadian soil.
Reference: CAOT (2016). Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans.
"Occupational therapy is where science, creativity and compassion collide"- Jessica Kensky, oncology nurse and survivor of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
Bring on the jokes!
Yes, basket weaving was the most common activity in early occupational therapy. While considered busy work in modern society, basket weaving was an excellent therapuetic activity in the 1920s. It was inexpensive, required minimal tools, easy to adapt and useful (where else were you going to find baskets in the 1920s).
Reference: Grant Mitchell, Basket Weaving and Other Early OT Activities. Core Medical Group
"Cito, tuto, jucunde." Not only did Asclepiades understand the importance of occupation, he had a beautiful motto.
"Swiftly, safely, sweetly." What a wonderful way to practice.
In a time where isolation and confinement were often the doctor’s orders, Greek physician Asclepiades took a different approach to mental illness. Asclepiades believed that fresh air, exercise, and music would restore harmony in a person and regularly used them in his practice. His Britannica page even states he used “occupational therapy” thousands of years before its inception!
References: Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2011, September 26). Asclepiades Of Bithynia.
In 2008 all occupational therapy programs in Canada were required to move from a bachelor’s to a master’s degree. This change was done in part to ensure occupational therapists had the knowledge and skills required to perform excellent care as OT practices become more complex.
There are still many practicing occupational therapists who completed their bachelor’s degree before this shift, but regardless of educational background all occupational therapists in Alberta are held to the same standards when it comes to ethics, practice, and professional development.
Reference: CAOT (2018). Entry level education in occupational therapy 2018.
Beautiful Day in Buck Lake, Alberta 🍂
We have a few openings left for Buck Lake/ Winfield and surrounding areas for the month of October. Secure your spot today!
Edmonton, AB
| Monday | 9am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 11am - 9pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 5pm |
| Friday | 9am - 5pm |
| Saturday | 10am - 1pm |
| Sunday | 10am - 1pm |
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Pure Discovery: Movement & Massage for Kids
Ellwood Drive SW
Alberta College of Occupational Therapists
51 Avenue NW
Jeanine Delaney's Massage Therapy
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