What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 7pm Tuesday 9am - 7pm Wednesday 9am - 7pm Thursday 9am - 7pm Friday 9am - 6pm Saturday 9am - 7pm

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VanKids Pediatric Therapy

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Canada
Richmond, BC
VanKids Pediatric Therapy

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Occupational therapy for children ages 2–19, supporting self-regulation, fine/gross motor skills, and daily routines through play-based care.

Services include assessment, treatment, and parent support, offered in-clinic, home, and in school environments.

11/05/2026

Where Connection Sparks Growth. ✨

At VanKids Pediatric Therapy, we believe that meaningful growth begins with meaningful connections.

Before developing new skills, working towards developmental milestones, or navigating everyday challenges, children need to feel safe, understood, valued, and accepted for who they are.

As Occupational Therapists, we recognize that connection is the foundation for participation, learning, and development. That's why we place so much value on three important relationships:

1. Therapist & Child: Building trust, following the child's interests, and creating a supportive environment where they feel comfortable exploring, engaging in meaningful occupations, and developing new skills at their own pace.

2. Child & Family: Recognizing that families are their child's greatest advocates and know them best. Valuing their perspectives, routines, strengths, and priorities to support meaningful participation in everyday life.

3. Therapist & Family: Building a collaborative partnership, sharing knowledge, and developing practical strategies that support the child's growth, independence, and participation across home, school, and community environments.

We believe that when children feel connected and supported, they are better positioned to explore their abilities, build confidence, develop new skills, and participate in the activities that matter most to them.

11/01/2026

Connection Over Correction.

In occupational therapy, we know that meaningful progress doesn't start with correcting a child's behaviour. It starts with understanding the child behind it.

A child who struggles with transitions, avoids an activity, seeks sensory input, or has difficulty regulating their emotions isn't necessarily being difficult. They may be communicating an unmet need, navigating a challenging environment, or still developing the skills needed to participate.

As occupational therapists, our role is to understand the why behind the behaviour and support the child in developing the skills they need to succeed.

- Connection before expectations.
- Regulation before participation.
- Understanding before intervention.
- Building on strengths rather than focusing on limitations.

Through play, meaningful relationships, and individualized support, we create opportunities for children to explore, learn, and grow at their own pace.

10/26/2026

🎒 How Can Occupational Therapy Support School Participation for Children with Autism & ADHD?

School is about more than academics! Children also need to navigate transitions, manage sensory input, regulate emotions, organize tasks, and build relationships with peers.

For children with autism or ADHD, these everyday school demands may require additional support.

Pediatric occupational therapy can help children develop strategies for:�🧠 Self-regulation and sensory processing�📋 Executive functioning, attention, and organization�🔄 Transitions and daily routines�✏️ Task initiation and completion�🤝 Social participation and play�💬 Self-advocacy and communicating their needs

At VanKids Pediatric Therapy, we take a child-centred, play-based approach that focuses on understanding each child's strengths, needs, and environment.
💡 It's not just about asking, “Why can't my child do this?” It's about asking, “What does my child need in order to participate?”

📖 Read our latest blog to learn how pediatric OT can support your child's school experience!

🔗 https://vankidstherapy.ca/blog/occupational-therapy-school-participation-autism-adhd

10/25/2026

The vestibular system helps children understand movement, balance, and their body's position in space. Through playful movement experiences, children can explore how their bodies move while building important skills for everyday life! 🌟

At VanKids Pediatric Therapy, our clinic features a variety of sensory equipment and tools, including swings and climbing equipment, that encourage children to explore movement, practise balance, and develop body awareness through play!

✨ Every child experiences movement differently! Follow your child's cues, offer choices, and allow breaks whenever needed. Some children love movement, while others may prefer slower, more predictable activities. There's no need to force participation. We believe in meeting every child where they are and supporting them at their own pace. 💙

10/14/2026

Building Fine Motor Skills Through Play at VanKids!

At VanKids Pediatric Therapy, we have a wide variety of tools, equipment, and toys to help children develop and practice their fine motor skills through fun, engaging, and meaningful activities!

From dressing boards, straps and fasteners, tongs, tweezers, hammers, screwdrivers, and clothespins to adapted pencils, adapted feeding utensils, table-top scissors, loop/spring scissors, short, thick crayons, lacing activities, and so much more — our clinic offers plenty of opportunities for children to practise the skills they need for everyday life.

Through a play-based, child-led approach, we help children practise at their own pace, build confidence, and develop meaningful skills that carry over into their everyday routines.

Small hands, big milestones! ⭐

10/03/2026

Good Seating = Better Access to Learning

Have you noticed your child constantly shifting, leaning on the desk, sitting on their knees, or getting tired during handwriting?

Seating isn’t just about “sitting still.” A supportive position can help provide the stability children need to use their hands and eyes for learning.

A helpful starting point is the 90-90-90 position:
- Hips at ~90°
- Knees at ~90°
- Feet supported on the floor or a footrest

We also want to consider whether the desk and chair height, trunk position, and forearm support allow the child to work comfortably.

Why does this matter?
A stable base can support participation in:
✏️ Handwriting & drawing�
📖 Reading & looking at books�
✂️ Cutting & fine motor activities�
🧩 Puzzles & manipulatives�
💻 Typing & computer work�
📝 Classroom tasks

From an OT perspective, we may look at postural strength and endurance, pelvic stability, foot support, seating setup, fine motor skills, and positioning when a child is having difficulty with school-based tasks.

And remember — the goal isn't perfect posture! Children naturally move and change positions. We want to support their ability to find comfortable, functional positions that allow them to stay engaged and participate.

At VanKids, we look at the whole picture — not just the handwriting, but the body supporting the handwriting.

09/29/2026

Inclusion in Motion 2026⭐️

We had a great time at Inclusion in Motion at the Pacific Autism Family Network this past weekend!

It was really nice getting to meet so many families, caregivers, volunteers, and other professionals in the community. We had a lot of conversations about occupational therapy, and it was especially nice hearing from families who have had positive experiences with OT and learning about the different ways OT has supported their children.

We also met quite a few families who were interested in learning more about OT and connecting with VanKids in the future!

Of course, we had to bring a little movement into the day too. The kids took on our VanKids Obstacle Course Challenge, and we loved seeing everyone give it a try and celebrate with a prize at the end!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth and took the time to chat with us. It was a really fun day, and we’re glad we got to be part of it!

VanKids Pediatric Therapy — Where Connection Sparks Growth.

09/22/2026

Interoception is our ability to notice and understand signals from inside our body. It helps us recognize when we’re hungry, thirsty, tired, need the bathroom, or are becoming stressed or overwhelmed.

For some children, these body signals can be harder to notice or interpret — which can impact self-regulation, emotions, toileting, eating, sleep, and daily routines.

How can OT help?
Pediatric OTs can help children build body awareness by using play, movement, sensory experiences, and everyday routines to:
- Notice body signals
- Connect sensations with what they mean
- Put words to what their body is experiencing
- Recognize early signs of stress or dysregulation
- Identify strategies that help their body feel regulated

The goal isn't for children to simply “pay more attention.” It's to help them better understand what their body is communicating and learn how to respond.

09/08/2026

More than just swinging!

This activity may look like simple play, but we’re actually working on SO many skills at once!

While swinging on the platform swing and placing rings onto the cone, the child is working on:
⚖️ Dynamic balance & postural control�
🔄 Trunk rotation & core stability�
👀 Hand-eye coordination & visual-motor skills�
🧩 Motor planning & praxis�
⏱️ Timing & motor coordination�
🎯 Attention & task planning�
🤝 Bilateral coordination�
🧠 Vestibular & proprioceptive processing�
✋ Grasp, release & precision

And when we have the child reach behind their body to place the rings, we add an extra challenge by requiring them to rotate through their trunk, maintain their balance, orient to the target, and plan their movements while the swing is moving!

This is the magic of pediatric OT — using fun, meaningful play to build the skills kids need for everyday life. 💛

09/01/2026

It’s more than just play! ✨

Every OT activity has a purpose. 🧠💪

Through this activity, we’re working on dynamic balance, postural control, body awareness, visual-motor integration, pincer grasp, motor planning, and core & lower-body strength — all while having fun! 🎯

Pediatric OT uses meaningful, play-based activities to help children build the skills they need for everyday life. What may look like “just playing” is often an opportunity to develop coordination, strength, motor skills, attention, planning, body awareness, and confidence. 💛

Play with a purpose. Skills for life. 🌱

Address

240/10151 No. 3 Road
Richmond, BC
V7A4R6

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 7pm
Tuesday	9am - 7pm
Wednesday	9am - 7pm
Thursday	9am - 7pm
Friday	9am - 6pm
Saturday	9am - 7pm

Telephone

+16048215136

Website

facebook.com

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