How Breaking Trail OT Works

Adults, children, families and community organizations like schools, group programs, and daycares team up with Breaking Trail OT to create their own path to success, whatever that means to them. If every obstacle was easy to overcome and had a clear path to success Breaking Trail OT wouldn’t exist. We are here for when you face obstacles. Obstacles are the complexities and adventures of real life. To navigate these obstacles we create a trail that fits you as you are now and that will lead you where you want to go.

Step 1: find out where you are at

By helping us understand your journey we can locate where you are in your life. Every obstacle (including but not limited to injures, mental health challenge, a new diagnosis, life circumstances, or inclusion challenges) is unique and that matters. Understanding how this obstacle affects and challenges you is essential in creating a new trail. Your journey to here matters!

Step 2: figure out where you want to go

Making a new path is hard work. We put in the work early to make sure your trail is connecting things that matter to you! Your OT can use tools like coaching or motivational interviewing to explore and figure out what matters the most to you and where we should get started to make the most effective change. This step usually contains goal setting and planning for what services can look like.

Step 3: use the right tools

Based on curated research based strategies, personal strengths, and occupation-based adventures we explore what works for an individual, family, organization or community group. The goal is to have a combination of strategies and tools in a toolbox that can be used now and in the future while making lifestyle changes that let you navigate your trail with ease.

Step 4: maintenance

You have put the work in to create your trail, now it’s time to pause and take in the view. Is this actually where you want to be?

If we got it right this time- Hooray! Our last step is to make a system where you can keep your path clear and connected to what matters to you.

If not, we return to step 1, 2, or 3 with new experiences and information to reshape or adjust your trail. This is part of a journey and it sometimes takes a few cycles to build the right trail. This is worth the effort because when your trail is leading you were you truly want to be it is empowering and that’s worth celebrating!

Every Path is Unique

To best serve you, we offer a variety of services. Below are some of our popular frequency and visit formats. Occupational Therapy is meant to fit your needs, so if what you want isn’t currently offered email us to set up a Meet and Greet with Jen to see how Breaking Trail OT can support your vision!

Frequency:

  • Regular Support: Weekly or twice monthly visits that fit into most funding models and into your busy schedule.
  • Intensive Sessions: This is ideal for overcoming complex obstacles or for kick starting a new trail. Meeting several times a week to build momentum then taking a break to see if the maintenance plan will really work in your day to day life. This frequency also works well when there are multiple people or organizations involved. Waiting weeks or months to connect with all the parties involved makes for slow progress.
  • Consultation: This is great for professional development or training for community groups, small groups of parents wanting to learn about a specific topic and for motivated individuals who have great supports and want some guidance figuring out how to navigate a specific obstacle.
  • Combination: regular sessions, with a burst during summer holidays, or taking a break from 1:1 to try out new skills in a group setting, or using a consultation with your family and friends to share information about how to best support you.

Types of Services:

  • 1:1 sessions
  • Group sessions
  • Professional development and talks including:
    • The catalysts and barriers of ADHD
    • Multi-sensory learning to engage and empower
    • Resilience 101 for chronic health and happiness
    • Regulation together: managing your energy and your comfort levels to do what matters and avoid meltdowns, frustration and tears.
    • What is executive functioning and why should I care? Exploring ways to build skills to work well with others, problem solve, and get things done!

Formats:

  • phone calls
  • video conferencing securely through Jane ( our secure online booking system and video conferencing platform)
  • in-person visits. In your home, your go-to coffee shop, favourite park or local spot of your choice.

Connect today to learn more about COVID-19 Safety Protocols specific to your choice of service.

Funding:

We currently accept Jordan’s principle, Autism Funding (6-18 years), RASP funding (0-6years), and a variety of school funding options.

Check your extended benefits today to see if you have OT coverage. I’m hearing more and more that people have had success securing funding with a simple phone call to their benefits provider or HR team.

We have pay-for-service options and we are working towards a sliding scale option based on need.

Language Note:

Breaking Trail OT uses the language “autistic kid” or “autistic adult” because the vast majority of autistic adults prefer to be called “autistic.” This identify-first language is used because we understand autism as an inherent part of an individual’s identity. The most important voice is yours. Your preference is always respected, so please let us know if you are more comfortable using person first language like “a student who has autism”. If you’d like to learn more about identity-first language or would like to share your ideas on language please connect with us. (Future blog post on identify-first language to come)