Autism & OAP Services
Occupational Therapy for Autistic Children
Mulder OT Services provides specialized occupational therapy for autistic children and other neurodivergent children in the Waterloo Region. Many of our services are eligible for Ontario Autism Program (OAP) Core Clinical Services funding.
OAP Funding
Using Your Ontario Autism Program Funding
Mulder OT Services is a registered provider of OAP Core Clinical Services. Families may use their OAP funding to access:
- Occupational therapy assessment for treatment
- Individualized therapy programs
- Direct therapy sessions
- Caregiver coaching and home programming
- Ongoing progress monitoring
- Equipment & therapy material perscriptions
If you are unsure how to use your OAP funding for occupational therapy, we are happy to help guide you through the process.
Registered AccessOAP
Core Clinical Services Provider
Mulder OT Services is a registered provider of Ontario Autism Program Core Clinical Services. Our programs are designed to meet the requirements of OAP funding guidelines.
How OT Can Help
Supporting Your Child's Development
Occupational therapy focuses on helping children develop the skills needed for everyday life.
Emotional Regulation
Helping children recognize and manage their emotions so they can participate more comfortably in daily activities.
Sensory Processing
Supporting children who experience the world more intensely through sensory regulation strategies.
Motor Development
Improving coordination, balance, and fine motor skills needed for play, school tasks, and independence.
Daily Living Skills
Helping children build independence with toileting, sleep, dressing, eating, hygiene, and routines.
School Routines & Success
Supporting participation, attention, regulation, and task engagement in classroom environments.
Communication Support
Building strategies to support functional communication in everyday settings.
Our Approach
Relationship-Based Occupational Therapy
Focused on regulation, participation, and real-world skills.
- Sensory regulation strategies
- Motor development activities
- Retained primitive reflex integration where appropriate
- Trauma-informed care
- Caregiver coaching and family collaboration
Family Partnership
Parents Are Essential Partners
Parents and caregivers are essential partners in therapy. We work closely with families to create real improvements in everyday family life.
- Set meaningful therapy goals
- Develop strategies that work at home and school
- Support daily routines
- Build sustainable long-term progress
Getting Started
What to Expect
Families often ask what the therapy process looks like once services begin. While every child's program is individualized, most families move through the following stages:
Intake Conversation
The process begins with a short intake conversation where we learn about your child, your concerns, and your goals for therapy. This helps determine whether our services are a good fit and what the next steps should be.
Initial Assessment
An occupational therapy assessment helps us understand your child's strengths, challenges, and current level of functioning. This may include observation, structured activities, discussion with caregivers, and review of relevant background information.
Goal Setting
Following the assessment, we work with parents and caregivers to identify meaningful therapy goals that focus on everyday life. Goals often relate to areas such as regulation, participation at school, independence with routines, or social and emotional development.
Treatment Plan Development
Based on the assessment and goals, we develop an individualized therapy plan outlining the areas of focus and recommended therapy approach. This plan helps guide therapy while remaining flexible as your child develops new skills.
Regular Therapy Sessions
Children participate in ongoing therapy sessions designed to build regulation, functional skills, and confidence. Sessions may involve movement-based activities, sensory regulation work, motor skill development, and practical life skills. Caregivers are included in the process so strategies can be applied in everyday routines.
Periodic Reassessment
Progress is reviewed periodically to evaluate how therapy is supporting your child's development. Goals and strategies are adjusted as needed to ensure therapy continues to support meaningful progress over time.