Samantha Smith
Summary
Licensed occupational therapist with expertise in supporting neurodivergent children through a strengths-based and neurodiversity-affirming approach. Skilled in sensory processing, self-regulation, executive functioning, and motor development while prioritizing autonomy and individual learning styles. Experienced in collaborating with families, educators, and multidisciplinary teams to create inclusive environments. Committed to supporting self-advocacy, reducing barriers, and promoting meaningful participation through affirming, trauma-informed, and play-based interventions.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Occupational Therapist - Self-Employed
Wildflower Kids OT
11.2024 - Current
- Provide occupational therapy services in the home environment for children with diverse needs, including autism, ADHD, and developmental delays.
- Develop personalized support plans focused on daily living skills, sensory regulation, fine and gross motor development, and executive functioning.
- Educate and coach caregivers on strengths-based strategies to support their child's progress towards their goals.
- Collaborate with parents to modify or adapt the home environment to enhance accessibility, independence, and provide sensory-regulatory accomodations.
- Provide parent guidance on assistive or adaptive tools to support their child's optimal engagement in different tasks and activities.
Occupational Therapist
Yaldei Developmental Center
11.2020 - Current
- Providing individual and school-based occupational therapy services for children with complex support needs, including Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, Global Developmental Delay, and communication differences
- Implement play-based, neurodiversity-affirming strategies to promote skill development while honoring each child's unique strengths and interests.
- Conducting standardized and non-standardized assessments to evaluate sensory processing, fine and gross motor skills, self-care skills, and leisure skills
- Supervising and mentoring OT and Psychomotor Therapist team members
- Collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team to ensure comprehensive care for children with multiple therapies
- Working with teachers to adapt or modify the classroom environment and learning activities to best suit the needs of the students
- Provided school and centre-wide trainings on various topics, including: emotional regulation, sensory processing, neurodiversity-affirming practices in schools, and foundations of learning and school participation
OT Intern - Child Psychiatry
Jewish General Hospital
09.2020 - 11.2020
- Planned and carried out individual and group interventions to address sensory and motor challenges in children aged 5-8
- Administered various standardized and non-standardized evaluations
- Documented evaluations and progress reports using ChartMaxx and Centro medical record systems
OT Intern - Transitional Day Program
Montreal General Hospital
01.2020 - 03.2020
- Planned and led daily OT groups in goal planning, cognitive skills, life skills, cooking, and exercise for adults in an outpatient mental health day program
- Collaborated with a psychiatrist, nurses, occupational therapist, social worker, and music therapist to provide daily structure, support, and education to patients to facilitate their re-engagement in meaningful activities
- Provided individualized support to patients on my caseload as needed
- Documented evaluations, progress, and discharge reports using OACIS medical record system
OT Intern - Internal Medicine
Montreal General Hospital
06.2019 - 08.2019
- Screened and evaluated adults with various orthopedic and medical conditions in an acute care hospital setting in order to plan for their discharge
- Educated patients and family members in the safe use of mobility aids and safe transfer techniques
- Coordinated closely with other healthcare professionals
- Documented evaluations, progress, and discharge reports using OACIS medical record system
OT Intern
Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board
04.2019 - 05.2019
- Planned and carried out therapeutic activities for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Global Developmental Delay, and other neurodevelopmental conditions
- Led group activities as well as individual sessions focused on fine and gross motor development
- Created engaging fine motor materials for teachers and created an activity handout with fine and gross motor activities for parents to use over the summer break
- Administered various assessments (BOT-2, M-ABC, Beery VMI)
Coach
Lions Inclusive Soccer Program
05.2016 - 08.2018
- Collaborated with other coaches to plan and implement soccer activities for children aged 7-9 with various neurodevelopmental diagnoses in partnership with the Special Olympics
- Taught soccer skills through adapted activities with a focus on social skills and gross motor development
Special Education Teacher
Yaldei Developmental Center
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Led and managed a class of six students with complex intellectual and physical challenges (QEP Codes 23 & 24)
- Developed a program tailored to students’ needs with emphasis on gross motor, fine motor, social skills, communication, and life skill development, as well as sensory regulation.
- Assessed students and identified areas to be targeted in their Individual Education Programs in collaboration with the school’s therapists
- Created and adapted materials to facilitate the development of students’ academic and motor skills
- Planned hands-on and engaging lessons that target students’ goals within different monthly themes
- Collaborated with parents to ensure the transfer of students’ learned skills between home and school
Education
M.Sc.A. - Occupational Therapy
McGill University
Montreal01.2020
B. Ed. - K/Elementary Education
McGill University
Montreal, QC01.2016
Skills
- Neurodiversity-Affirming practices
- Strengths-Based practices
- Treatment planning
- Accessible Education
- Disability advocacy
- Training and Leadership
- Sensory Processing & Regulation
- Fine and Gross Motor Development
Personal Information
Title: Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Training
- First Aid and CPR
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention
- Neurodiversity-Affirming and Strengths-Based practices
- Learn Play Thrive Approach to Autism
- Sensory Processing & Regulation
- Interoception Curriculum (Mahler)
- Inclusive Approaches to Supporting Neurodivergent Children with Feeding Challenges (RDs for Neurodiversity)
- Pathological Demand Avoidance
- Fine and Gross Motor Development
- Primitive Reflex Integration
Other Relevant Work Experience
- Special Education Teacher, Yaldei Developmental Center, 09/16, 06/18, Led and managed a class of six students with various severe to profound intellectual and physical challenges (QEP Codes 23 & 24), Developed a program tailored to students’ needs with emphasis on gross motor, fine motor, social skill, communication, and life skill development, as well as sensory integration, Assessed students and identified areas to be targeted in their Individual Education Programs in collaboration with the school’s therapists, Created and adapted materials to facilitate the development of students’ academic and motor skills, Planned hands-on and engaging lessons that target students’ goals within different monthly themes, Collaborated with parents to ensure the transfer of students’ learned skills between home and school
- Lions Inclusive Soccer Program Coach, 05/16, 08/18, Collaborated with other coaches to plan and implement soccer activities for children aged 7-9 with various neurodevelopmental conditions in partnership with the Special Olympics, Taught soccer skills through adapted activities with a focus on social skills and gross motor development
Certification
- CPR and First Aid
- Nonviolent Crisis Intervention
Additional Training and Areas of Knowledge:
- Learn Play Thrive, LLC Approach to Autism
- Sensory Processing & Regulation
- Interoception Curriculum ( Kelly Mahler)
- Inclusive Approaches to Supporting Neurodivergent Children with Feeding Challenges (RDs for Neurodiversity)
- Pathological Demand Avoidance
- Fine and Gross Motor Development
- Oculomotor Skills
- Primitive Reflex Integration
Timeline
Occupational Therapist - Self-Employed
Wildflower Kids OT
11.2024 - Current
Occupational Therapist
Yaldei Developmental Center
11.2020 - Current
OT Intern - Child Psychiatry
Jewish General Hospital
09.2020 - 11.2020
OT Intern - Transitional Day Program
Montreal General Hospital
01.2020 - 03.2020
OT Intern - Internal Medicine
Montreal General Hospital
06.2019 - 08.2019
OT Intern
Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board
04.2019 - 05.2019
Coach
Lions Inclusive Soccer Program
05.2016 - 08.2018
Special Education Teacher
Yaldei Developmental Center
01.2016 - 01.2018
- CPR and First Aid
- Nonviolent Crisis Intervention
Additional Training and Areas of Knowledge:
- Learn Play Thrive, LLC Approach to Autism
- Sensory Processing & Regulation
- Interoception Curriculum ( Kelly Mahler)
- Inclusive Approaches to Supporting Neurodivergent Children with Feeding Challenges (RDs for Neurodiversity)
- Pathological Demand Avoidance
- Fine and Gross Motor Development
- Oculomotor Skills
- Primitive Reflex Integration
M.Sc.A. - Occupational Therapy
McGill University
B. Ed. - K/Elementary Education
McGill University
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