How to Find a Pediatric Occupational Therapist in Richmond, BC: A Parent's Guide

Most parents who call us have been wondering about something for a while. Maybe it's the meltdown that happens every morning before school, or a five-year-old who still avoids crayons while her friends are already writing their names. Then a teacher mentions it, or a grandparent does, and the question quietly changes from whether to get help to where to start.

This guide is the conversation I have with parents on that first call, written down. I'm Leo, the clinical director and an occupational therapist at VanKids Pediatric Therapy in Richmond.

When is it time to see an OT?

There's no single test for this. You may consider an OT assessment if your child is having a hard time with attention, emotional regulation, motor skills, social skills, sensory processing, or daily routines such as dressing, eating, or handwriting.

The question I find most useful is a simple one: is this getting in the way of your child's day? A child who dislikes loud places but still enjoys the birthday party is different from a child who can't stay in the room.

If you'd like to read more first, we've written about sensory processing, self-regulation, and how OT supports school participation.

Private OT or the public system?

In BC, some occupational therapy for children is publicly funded. Although publicly funded programs provide valuable support, families may experience lengthy waitlists, sometimes ranging from 6 months to a year or longer, depending on the program, eligibility, and service availability.

For families who would like their child to begin receiving occupational therapy sooner, private pediatric OT can be an alternative or complementary option while awaiting publicly funded services. Private therapy also means individualized intervention, consistent sessions, flexible scheduling, and personalized support.

You don't need a doctor's referral for private therapy at a clinic like ours. Families can contact us directly to book an assessment or consultation.

Our therapists are approved or supervised by the Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP), and families can use their BC Autism Funding to access our occupational therapy services.

What does it cost, and is it covered?

This is the question most parents are too polite to ask first, so here it is.

At VanKids Pediatric Therapy, our fees are comparable to those of other private pediatric occupational therapy clinics in British Columbia. Session fees vary depending on the type and duration of services provided.

We encourage families to contact our team for a complimentary phone consultation, where we can discuss our services, associated fees, available funding options, and the best approach to supporting their child's needs.

Families may use their extended health benefits to help cover the cost of occupational therapy, as long as their plan includes occupational therapy coverage. We work with clients covered by insurers such as Manulife and Sun Life, and by other extended health providers. Coverage and reimbursement amounts vary from plan to plan, so please confirm your OT coverage with your insurer before you begin.

When you call them, it helps to ask two things: how much is covered for occupational therapy each year, and whether that amount is shared with other practitioners.

Each session is 60 minutes in total. That's about 50 minutes of direct therapy, 5 minutes with you to talk about how things are going, and 5 minutes for notes and planning.

What to look for in a pediatric occupational therapist

Start with registration. Occupational therapists in BC are registered with the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia (CHCPBC), and you can look any therapist up on the College's public register. It takes a minute.

Then look for experience with children. Occupational therapy covers everything from hand injuries to stroke recovery, and a therapist who works with children every day knows what typical development looks like at two, at seven and at fourteen, which is exactly what you want when the question is whether something is worth working on.

Ask how they work with children. At VanKids, therapy is play-based and evidence-based, and we use DIR Floortime® principles. Children learn best when they're engaged, so a good session should feel like play to your child, even when it's hard work.

You should be part of it, too. Parent involvement is often encouraged during sessions, because it helps you carry strategies over at home and helps us understand your child.

Language matters more than people expect. If your family speaks Cantonese at home, it can make a real difference when the therapist does too, and our team speaks English and Cantonese, with our office able to help in Mandarin.

Finally, think about where therapy should happen. Some children do best in a clinic and others at home or at school, so we offer therapy in our Richmond clinic, at home, at school, in the community, and online.

What happens when you contact us

It starts with a free 15-minute call. We listen to what's going on and talk through whether OT is the right next step for your child.

The first visit is a play-based, rapport-building assessment. We watch your child during natural play and structured activities, and we talk with you about your concerns, goals, and priorities. Depending on your child, we may use standardized assessments, informal play-based observation, or both.

From there we agree on a plan together and begin therapy.

One last thing

The right therapist matters more than the first one available. Ask questions, look up their registration, and notice how your child feels after a session. A good OT will be glad you asked.

If you're looking for a pediatric occupational therapist in Richmond, we'd be happy to answer your questions and discuss how we can support your child and family.