Join us for an in-depth discussion featuring Tanya Eichler, AFCCA Clinical Lead, and Heather Hodgins-Chan, Occupational Therapist, as they delve into the critical role of Occupational Therapy in supporting healthy development and addressing the impacts of Early Childhood Trauma. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert knowledge on optimizing support for children affected by trauma.
In this comprehensive session, we will explore:
Sensory Processing: Understanding how sensory integration affects behavior and development.
Primitive Reflex Integration: The importance of addressing retained reflexes in trauma recovery and developmental progress.
Safe and Sound Protocol: How this therapeutic approach supports emotional regulation and safety.
Choosing the Right Occupational Therapist: Key factors to consider when selecting a professional to support your child's needs.
This discussion will offer valuable insights and practical strategies for parents and caregivers seeking to enhance their child’s well-being and developmental trajectory.
This webinar is open to all who is interested in attending, pre-registration required.
About our guest
Heather Hodgins-Chan is a registered occupational therapist who works with children from birth to young adulthood. Over the course of her twenty-five years as an occupational therapist, she has become passionate about helping young children and their families. Heather has a special interest in sensory processing, trauma, attachment, and how these areas impact both physical and mental health and has worked in hospitals, rehab centers, and as a consultant in the school system in Ottawa. She currently supports children and their families in private practice. She is one of the original founders of On the Ball Pediatric Physio and Occupational Therapy in Kanata, where she continues to work clinically and she enjoys mentoring the occupational therapy team. Holding hours at the Ottawa Centre for Attachment and Trauma Therapy she isworking closely with their psychotherapy team. She has enjoyed being a guest speaker on various international podcasts, discussing the topics of Occupational Therapy, ADHD, Autism, sensory processing, Adoption, and trauma-informed care.
Working with children has always been rewarding for Heather and she believes that being around children keeps her young and creative. She has traveled extensively to the United States and within Canada for post-professional training in Ayres Sensory Integration, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, trauma-based informed care, reflex integration, and the use of the Safe and Sound Protocol, a specialized music program used to help the nervous system relax. Heather is an occupational therapist practicing psychotherapy. She utilizes an attachment-based, trauma-informed approach to help children with self-regulation challenges. In her therapy sessions, Heather incorporates playful body-awareness activities, exercises, relaxation techniques, and sensory integration principles to help her client’s nervous systems relax. Children are then able to open up about their worries, challenges, and express themselves. Parents and caregivers are a part of Heather’s sessions; this allows for education about co-regulation and relationship development. She believes that movement and exercise are the keys to physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development for children.
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