PARENTS

Overview of Clinical Team 

Kids First works as a team to meet the complex needs of our clients. Our senior management positions include the Owner/Director, Operations Manager, and Business Manager. Other team members critical to the success of our programs include: Program Coordinators/Behaviour Consultants; Administrative staff; Child Intervention Therapists (i.e., Aides); and Clinicians (OTs, S-LPs, S-LP Assistants, PTs, and Psychologists).

Below is an outline of each clinical team member and their role within the therapeutic process.

Psychologists - Engage in the study of the human mind and behavior.  Psychologists in applied fields (e.g., clinical, counseling, school) may provide mental health services in hospitals, clinics, schools, or private settings.  When working with the children in our program, the Psychologist would set out goals and objectives related to behaviour and cognitive development.

Speech-Language Pathologists (S-LPs) - Prevent, assess, diagnose and treat people with communication disorders.  Clients may have difficulties with speech production, cognitive processing, and/or the social use of language.  Other common communication deficits include: difficulties with language comprehension, language production, stuttering, phonological delay and feeding and swallowing.  The communication challenges that are characteristic of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other disabilities often demand the involvement of an S-LP.

Occupational Therapists (OTs) - Trained to assess and assist a person to learn and use purposeful activities.  Occupation is defined as work, play and self-help involving perceptual and/or fine motor skills.  OT’s may also address an individual’s sensory processing, attending, arousal, and sensorimotor development.  Treatment consists of purposeful activities to promote higher function that may address sensorimotor, neuromuscular, perceptual, developmental, and/or psychosocial area as they relate to carrying out activities of daily living (self help skills); leisure; and perceptual, fine motor, and oral-motor skills.

Physical Therapist (PTs) - The health care discipline dedicated to the diagnoses and management of movement dysfunction; enhancement of physical and functional abilities; and restoration, maintenance, and promotion of optimal physical function, optimal fitness and wellness, and optimal quality of life.  Also called physiotherapy. Physiotherapy is typically provided to children to reduce motor awkwardness, increase mobility and to improve gross motor skills and motor planning.

Program Coordinators (PCs) - Critical in the set up, maintenance, and success of our clients’ programs, the Program Coordinator is the main contact for the family.  Program Coordinators’ duties include (but are not limited to): maintaining contact lists; maintaining a child’s binder; providing support and training to staff; assisting with coordinating therapy sessions; addressing staff and parent concerns; and chairing Individual Program Plan meetings.  Program Coordinators are in a dual role, and also work as Behaviour Consultants.

Behaviour Consultants (BC) - Within the Program Coordinators’ role, Behavior Consultants work closely with our Psychologists to create and update behavior plans.  BCs conduct home visits; collect and summarize behavioural data; and participate with other team members in determining adaptive strategies within the home, clinic and community contexts.

Child Intervention Therapist (CITs)/Aides - Participate with the PC, BC and Clinicians in conducting ongoing assessment on the strengths and needs of Kids First’s clients.  In addition, CITs plan and implement direct therapy; create and adapt materials for intervention; liaise with other team members; maintain documentation on progress; participate in team meetings; and attend staff training exercises and in-services. 

To learn more about the Kids First Team click here »