Occupational Therapy
Play-based, neuro-affirming occupational therapy for children and families in Ottawa and Kemptville, building the everyday skills that help kids thrive on their own terms.
"Neurodivergent minds are not broken; they're beautifully unique and deserving of support that truly honors how their body and brain work together."
Everyday Skills, Grown Through Play
Nurture the Soul, Nurture the Mind, Nurture the Body.
At Second Nature, we offer specialized occupational therapy in Ottawa and Kemptville, designed to support children in building the skills they need for daily life, from dressing and eating to writing, playing, regulating emotions, and navigating busy sensory environments.
Our collaborative, play-based approach meets each child where they are. We honor their profile, whether that's autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, motor delays, or simply needing a little extra scaffolding, and we build therapy around their interests, their rhythm, and their goals.
With a focus on meaningful play and functional tasks, we make sure therapy is not just effective but genuinely enjoyable. Because when children feel safe, engaged, and celebrated, that's when real growth happens in their bodies, their confidence, and their sense of what they're capable of.
Occupational Therapy for Every Stage of Childhood
Whether you're seeking early intervention for a toddler, pediatric OT for your school-age child, or support for a teen navigating daily life, we have a place for your family.
Early Years (0–5)
Gentle, play-based occupational therapy for toddlers and preschoolers working on sensory regulation, fine motor foundations, feeding, and early self-help skills.
School-Age Children
Pediatric OT in Ottawa for children navigating handwriting, focus, sensory needs in busy classrooms, emotional regulation, and the motor skills that support play and learning.
Youth & Teens
A respectful, strengths-based space for tweens and teens building independence, from organization and executive functioning to self-regulation and daily living skills.
Families & Caregivers
We work alongside parents and caregivers to share strategies that travel home. Because the most powerful progress happens in the everyday moments outside our clinic walls.
Every session is designed around the child: their sensory profile, their strengths, and their definition of a good day.
How We Work
Our approach to occupational therapy blends clinical expertise with deep respect for how each child experiences the world. Here are the five principles that shape every session.
Areas We Support
Our occupational therapist supports a wide range of developmental, sensory, and functional needs, always tailored to the child in front of us.
Sensory Processing
Support for children experiencing sensory processing differences: seeking, avoiding, or over- or under-responding to input. We help bodies find regulation and calm.
Autism & OT
Neuro-affirming occupational therapy for autistic children: sensory regulation, daily living, motor planning, and self-advocacy, delivered without masking expectations.
ADHD & Focus
Practical strategies for attention, executive functioning, organization, and emotional regulation for children and youth with ADHD.
Fine Motor Skills
Handwriting, cutting, dressing, self-feeding, and hand-eye coordination: the small-muscle skills that open up independence and learning.
Gross Motor Skills
Core strength, balance, coordination, and body awareness: the foundation for confident movement, play, and participation.
Self-Regulation
Tools and routines that help children recognize their bodies, manage big feelings, and return to calm on their terms.
Daily Living Skills
Dressing, feeding, sleep routines, toileting, and the everyday tasks that build independence and self-confidence step by step.
Executive Functioning
Support for planning, organizing, starting tasks, transitioning between activities, and following through: the invisible skills behind a smooth day.
School Readiness & Learning Support
Classroom-focused OT: seating, sensory breaks, handwriting, attention, and the motor foundations that help children access learning.
What To Expect
Starting occupational therapy can feel like a big step, especially if you're not sure what it even involves. Here's what the process looks like with us.
Reach Out
Book online or call us. We'll match you with our occupational therapist and walk you through what a session might look like based on your child's profile and your goals.
OT Assessment
A warm, play-based assessment to understand your child's sensory, motor, and self-regulation profile, plus your family's everyday priorities. No pressure, no performance expected.
Tailored Sessions
Ongoing OT sessions built around your child's interests and goals, in-person at our Ottawa or Kemptville clinics. We adjust the pace, tools, and environment to keep therapy engaging.
Grow Together
We celebrate every milestone with you, adjust goals as progress unfolds, and share strategies you can use at home, at school, and in the places where your child lives their life.
second nature school testimonials
A Gentle Haven Where Every Child Is Celebrated.
We are here to listen, guide, and build practical strategies that truly fit your family's life. Together, we'll help your child develop the skills and confidence that last right here in Ottawa and Kemptville.
Professionals With Real Life Experience
Our compassionate occupational therapist provides personalized pediatric OT in Ottawa and Kemptville supporting regulation, independence, and confidence at every stage of childhood.
Becca Palmer
Director of Human Resources
Qualified Professionals Recognized By:
Frequently Asked Questions
Have something else on your mind? We're always happy to chat before you book.
Consider an OT assessment if your child is struggling with things like: sensory sensitivities (food, clothing, noise, touch), fine motor skills (handwriting, buttons, cutlery), gross motor skills (balance, coordination), self-regulation (big reactions, difficulty calming), daily living tasks (dressing, toileting), or attention and focus at school. When in doubt, an assessment brings clarity not a label.
Occupational therapy for autism at Second Nature is deeply neuro-affirming. We don't aim to "fix" autistic traits. Instead, we support sensory regulation, build practical daily living skills, help with motor planning, and work alongside your child to navigate environments in ways that feel safe and authentic to them. The goal is functional independence and confidence not conformity.
Yes. Many children with ADHD benefit enormously from OT. We focus on self-regulation, executive functioning, sensory strategies that support focus, and the everyday routines that often feel hardest mornings, transitions, homework, bedtime. Sessions are active, engaging, and built around how ADHD brains actually work.
Every session looks a little different, but most blend purposeful play, movement, and skill-building. Your child might work on handwriting through a themed game, build core strength on a climbing structure, practise sensory regulation with calming tools, or tackle a real-life task like tying shoes. Therapy is active, individualized, and designed to feel fun.
It depends on each child's goals and profile. Some families see meaningful progress in a few months; others benefit from longer-term support. After our initial assessment, we'll share an honest picture of what progress might look like and we'll revisit goals together regularly so therapy always stays meaningful.
OT can begin as early as toddlerhood early intervention is often most effective before age 5. But it's never too late. We support children, youth, and teens, and every age is a valuable time to strengthen skills, confidence, and independence.
We warmly welcome parent involvement especially for younger children. Being part of sessions (even just for the wrap-up) helps you see what's working and learn strategies you can use at home. For older kids who prefer to work independently, we make sure you leave each visit with clear takeaways and tools.