Students of Durham College’s (DC) Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant (OTA/PTA) program will experience an additional layer of hands-on learning by providing fine motor intervention to groups of children with fine motor delays, through the new DC Kids clinic. The clinic begins this month and is operating in partnership with Grandview Children’s Centre.

The DC Kids clinic will see students lead weekly treatment sessions under the direct supervision of an occupational therapist (OT), for children between the ages of four and 10 who may benefit from fine motor therapy.

“DC Kids gives OTA/PTA students an opportunity to give back to the community while learning at the same time,” said Dr. Judeline Innocent, RN and dean of the School of Health & Community Services. “It also allows our students to study under the mentorship of experienced occupational therapists so it’s truly a win-win scenario.”

The winter clinic will run Monday and Wednesday evenings and Saturdays in the OTA/PTA lab at the Oshawa campus from Monday, January 12 to Saturday, March 21. Clients will attend one session per week for nine weeks. Sessions are available free of charge with a one-time registration fee of $30. 

DC Kids builds upon the knowledge gained in the classroom and lab where students learn to assist with the implementation of rehabilitation treatment plans and programs developed to promote clients’ independence, enhance activities of daily life and function, and support individuals whose physical ability has been impaired by injury, illness, aging, developmental disability or emotional disability.