Our Team

We are contacting clients on our waitlist now and plan to accept new referrals soon!

Occupational Therapy for Children

Our Team - Occupational Therapy

Lareina Wilson, OT Reg. (Ont)

Lareina is co-founder and owner of Hopscotch Kids Occupational Therapy. She graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1997 with a Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation in Occupational Therapy. Throughout the past 23 years, she has dedicated her practice to paediatrics. She has worked extensively with children from birth to 19 years with a variety of diagnoses, including delays in neurodevelopment, learning disabilities, fine motor, oral motor and feeding difficulties. Lareina has worked in a variety of settings including private therapy clinics, Children's Treatment Centres, as well as in the community providing home, daycare and school based Occupational Therapy services. The focus of her career has been providing therapy and collaborating with families and schools to help clients reach their goals for independence and optimal participation in their home, classroom or community environments. Areas of concern often addressed include progression of developmental milestones, fine and visual motor skills for classroom productivity, oral motor and feeding skill development, sensory integration, environmental modifications and home safety.

The focus of Lareina's continuing education has been on developing skills to better meet the needs of clients in the home and school settings. Courses attended include: Handwriting Without Tears, Assistive Technology, Introduction to Neurodevelopmental Therapy, Splinting to Manage Abnormal Tone, Transitions Workshop for the School Based Practitioner, Geneva Centre for Autism Level 1 Certificate, Listening with the Whole Body, Mental Health, Sensory Processing and Challenging Behaviour, Oral Motor Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Paediatric feeding and swallowing: Managing complex issues, When and How To Initiate Tube Weaning.

The focus of her career has been providing exceptional therapy services, and after having her own family, she has maintained a firm belief that family and client centered therapy is key to helping children achieve their goals, and enabling optimal independence and participation in meaningful daily activity in any environment. In order to make a difference in the lives of children, it is critical to engage the family and other caregivers in their lives to assist in goal setting and therapy in their home environment. With her vast experience serving many clients and families in a variety of settings, Lareina remains dedicated to delivering engaging and purposeful activities that are critical to goal progression - if clients are having fun, it will not feel like therapy!

Sheryl Jean, OT Reg. (Ont)

Sheryl is co-founder and owner of Hopscotch Kids Occupational Therapy. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, with an emphasis on Child Development. Over the last 25 years, Sheryl has worked exclusively in paediatrics, with children from newborn to 19 years of age, with a wide range of diagnoses, disabilities, learning differences and special needs. Sheryl has worked in a variety of settings including private therapy clinics, Children's Treatment Centres, as well as in the community, providing home, daycare and school based Occupational Therapy services.

Sheryl is passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and their caregivers. Her positive, family-centred, holistic approach to assessment and treatment empowers families, and enables children to be the best they can be. Her creative play-based techniques and playful sense of humour, quickly win over the trust of children, allowing them to be fully engaged in therapeutic activities, enabling them to achieve or surpass their functional goals.

Continuing education is a priority for Sheryl who strives to stay current with occupational therapy evidence-based treatment approaches. Recent feeding courses include the SOS Approach to Feeding, the Get Permission Approach to Sensory Mealtime Challenges, A Comprehensive Approach to Feeding Challenges, and Feed Me? – Decision Making approach to Feeding and Swallowing. Sensory processing and self-regulation workshops recently attended by Sheryl include Triggers, Treatment and Tools – A Comprehensive Approach to Self-Regulation, DIR/Floortime® – A Model for Nurturing Communication, Cognition and Connection, and many more. Sheryl has developed and facilitated summer printing and fine motor groups in a clinic setting for the past several years.

Sheryl strives to go above and beyond for the families she supports, instilling hope, enabling her clients to exceed their functional goals. She makes learning new skills fun! Sheryl is passionate about helping children learn, grow and be the best they can be! "Occupational Therapy is where science, creativity and compassion collide."

Hopscotch Kids Occupational Therapy Team

Our Occupational Therapists are a group of passionate, creative and fun-loving women who are dedicated to providing the best OT services for you and your family in the community! Meet our team!

Andrea Harrower, OT Reg. (Ont)

Andrea graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and obtained her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2018 from McMaster University.

Throughout her career working in pediatric community care and school-based rehabilitation, she has supported children from birth to 19 years with a wide range of issues including accessibility and equipment needs, sensory processing needs, emotional regulation and executive functioning challenges, and fine and gross motor delays. She has additional training in managing complex feeding concerns in infants and toddlers, and she loves working with parents/caregivers to support baby’s optimal growth and development.

Andrea is passionate about partnering with children and their families to help them succeed in the daily occupations that matter most to them, in the places where they are most comfortable – whether it be home, daycare or school. She uses a strengths-based approach and neurodiversity-affirming lens to empower families to better understand how to help their unique child thrive. Andrea firmly believes in a no one-size-fits-all approach. With creativity, compassion, connection and good old-fashioned fun, therapy becomes something that kids want to do – all while building skills, confidence and a positive sense of self. Andrea is dedicated to helping children and their families become the best version of themselves and participate fully in all life has to offer.

Andrea is a Registered Occupational Therapist (OT) in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario and a member of the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists.

Jamie Gleed, OT Reg. (Ont)

Jamie Gleed completed her undergraduate degree (2007) and Masters of Arts (2009) in Child in Youth Studies from Brock University. She completed a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2011.

Jamie has been practicing in pediatrics since graduation spending the last 13 years at McMaster Children’s Hospital within Developmental Pediatrics and Rehabilitation before joining Hopscotch Kids.

Jamie has had the privilege of working with children birth to age 18 both through individualized therapy and complex multidisciplinary teams. Jamie has experience supporting children in all environments including consulting to daycares, preschools and schools. Jamie has specialized skills in the area of feeding and swallowing, self regulation and social skills and infants and children with complex, multifaceted needs. Jamie is skilled with working with children with fine and gross motor skills, handwriting concerns, self care and adaptive skills, coordination and executive functioning. Jamie has worked extensively with adaptive devices and accessibility (home and vehicle modifications).

Jamie is passionate about working with children and their families and truly feels being an OT is a dream ‘job’. Jamie believes that the best therapeutic interventions are the ones that make a child and family feel empowered. Jamie’s focus is on creating an environment where a child and their family can thrive. Jamie works hard to create rapport with each child valuing their uniqueness and how therapy can best support them. Creating connection in therapy is the key to fun, learning and growth!

Jamie is committed to continued education and has completed a multitude of courses including – Handwriting Without Tears, The Sequential Oral Sensory Approach to Feeding – Basic and Advanced, Solution Focused Coaching and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Children with Anxiety, The Get Permission Approach to Mealtime Behaviours, Oral Motor, Feeding/Swallowing and Respiratory Function in Children with

Neuromotor Involvement and Social Thinking (Superflex, Social Emotional Learning, Play, the ILAUGH Model, Dynamic Assessment Measure).

Stephanie Babij, OT Reg. (Ont), M.Sc., B.Kin

Stephanie Babij is a registered Occupational Therapist in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario, and a member of the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists. Stephanie received her Honours Bachelor in Kinesiology from the University of Toronto in 2018. She then received her Master of Exercise Science in 2020, and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2022; both from the University of Toronto.

Stephanie has worked as a pediatric occupational therapist within the school setting, providing services to children between the ages of 3-13. She has experience with fine motor skills, gross motor skills, printing, sensory challenges, self-regulation and behaviour, attention and focus as well as typing/keyboarding skills. Stephanie has collaborated with teachers, parents and other school professionals to address any challenges impacting a child's academic performance, as well as developed strategies to enhance a child's participation and success in the school setting. She also has experience recommend and teaching the use of adaptive equipment or assistive technology to support a child's independence.

Stephanie aims to use a holistic approach to improve a child's overall well-being and functional abilities, within the school or home setting. She strives to incorporate the child’s strengths and interests to foster independence in achieving their meaningful goals. Stephanie is passionate about incorporating play and creativity in all her sessions, to help children grow and learn!

In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys camping, hiking, yoga and spending time with family and friends!

Kait St. Pierre, BSc, MSc, MSc(OT), OT Reg. (Ont)

Kait graduated from the University of Guelph in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional and Nutraceutical Science, and completed a Master of Science in Nutrition and Metabolism at the University of Alberta in 2014. She completed a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at McMaster University in 2017.

Since becoming an OT, Kait has solely practiced in pediatrics and has had the privilege of working with children and their families from ages 0-18 years. Kait has spent the past 6 years at McMaster Children’s Hospital working in Developmental Pediatrics and Rehabilitation and in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Follow-Up Clinic, before joining Hopscotch Kids.

Kait has experience working with children in a variety of settings including childcare centres, schools, and in their home environments. Kait has supported children across all development, including fine and gross motor, coordination, handwriting, self-care, sensory processing, emotional regulation, executive functioning, feeding, as well as home modifications and equipment needs. Kait has developed and facilitated fine motor and handwriting clinics for school-aged children and taught workshops to childcare providers regarding early childhood development.

As a lifelong learner, Kait is committed to continuing education, having completed additional training and courses including: The Sequential Oral Sensory Approach to Feeding (Basic and Advanced), Learning (Handwriting) Without Tears, Motivational Interviewing, Primitive Reflex Integration, CanFASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) Training & Certification, and certification/administration of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development.

Kait believes that because every child is unique, therapy should be creatively tailored to a child’s interests and the ways in which they experience the world. Above all, therapy should be fun, because learning happens through play! Kait values the relationship she builds with each family, and feels connection and curiosity are the key ingredients to help children flourish. Kait sees children and families as one holistic system. She is passionate about combining evidence-based knowledge with parents’/caregivers’ own expertise to empower them and help children grow, learn, and thrive.

Caitlin Lumb, MSc(OT), OT Reg. (Ont)

Caitlin completed her undergraduate degree in Child, Youth and Family studies from the University of Guelph in 2019. She then went on to complete the Rehabilitation Assistant program at Capilano University where she became a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant/ Physiotherapy Assistant. Caitlin recently completed her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto.

Caitlin has worked as an Occupational Therapy Assistance and Speech-Language Therapy Assistant with children aged 2-18, having the opportunity to work in a variety of settings to support children in their everyday activities. She has collaborated with parents, therapists, and teachers to meet children’s needs and optimize their success. Caitlin now looks forward to supporting children and families as a licensed Occupational Therapist.

Caitlin utilizes a holistic and strength-based approach to learn the pieces needed to fully support families and children. She is passionate about motivating children to participate in their meaningful activities and to be as independent as possible. Caitlin understands the importance of making therapy fun and getting to know each family and child that she works with.

In her spare time, Caitlin enjoys reading books, playing board games, and spending time with her family, friends, and pets!

Emily Puszkar, OT Reg. (Ont)

Emily is a registered Occupational Therapist in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario and holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto.

Through a combination of work, volunteering, and school placements, she has gained hands-on experience working with children and youth with developmental differences across various settings, including schools, day programs, online platforms, and within the community.

In these diverse settings, Emily has worked with children to develop and improve a variety of skills, including handwriting, sensory and emotional regulation, as well as social, self-care, and independent living skills. She has collaborated with teachers and parents to create tailored strategies and help children achieve their goals. Emily has also supported autistic teenagers in developing the skills they need to help them prepare for future employment opportunities. With a passion for supporting children and families, Emily is dedicated to creating personalized interventions that encourage growth and success.

In her spare time, Emily enjoys rock climbing, snowboarding, playing board games, camping, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA's) or Occupational Therapy Support Personnel (OTSP) are individuals who have the job-related competencies to support Occupational Therapists in delivering OT services.

The work of an OTA or OTSP is supervised by a licensed Occupational Therapist. All assessment, goal setting and re-assessment or modifications to goals are completed by the licensed Occupational Therapist, who also develops and modifies the program plan as needed. Regular supervision and collaboration takes place between the Occupational Therapist and the OTSP or OTA.

Occupational Therapy Assistants or Support Personnel are not regulated professions and as such, the educational requirements are more generalized and there is no entrance exam like the NOTCE. Occupational Therapy Assistant programs, many of which are accredited, exist at colleges across Canada.

Kimberly Callander

Kim graduated from Western University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences. She is currently completing her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto, looking forward to becoming a licensed OT in December 2025.

Kim has over 8 years of experience working with children in a variety of settings, including Gymnastics Coaching, Emergency Supply Teaching, Student Kinesiologist, and numerous other volunteer opportunities.

As an Occupational Therapy student, Kim strives to work with a patient and family-centered lens, as well as implement a strength-based approach to rehabilitation.

Hopscotch Kids Therapy is excited to have Kimberly join our team as Occupational Therapy Support Personnel. She will visit clients and their families, implementing Occupational Therapy programming under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist.