Therapy Services

Developmental assessments are performed on children from infancy up to 18 years of age. Therapy services are also available to students attending the Early Intervention and School Programs, as well as students attending mainstream schools in the community.

Note: we also offer therapy and consultation services online.

Occupational therapist smiling while helping a young child balance on an orange exercise ball in a therapy room.

According to specialized assessment results, children are offered therapy services in an interdisciplinary approach in one or more of the following disciplines:

Speech-Language Therapy (SLP)

Occupational Therapy (OT)

Physical Therapy (PT)

Behavior Therapy (Applied Behaviour Analysis, ABA)

At Al-Masar, play is a fundamental tool in therapy

Children access these services on a session-based model, the intensity of which varies depending on the individual needs of the child. To optimize progress, children need to be active participants in their therapy. Therefore, therapeutic activities are chosen to be fun, engaging and highly motivating for each child. Therapists use play to engage children in child-led activities, and then modify the activities to provide appropriate challenges in order to achieve therapeutic goals with the child.

Two children and two speech therapists playing a card game with blue headbands at a round wooden table. A wall tapestry is in the background. A game box and tokens are on the table.

Speech-Language Therapy

Communication is an essential part of interactions during the daily life of children at home, at school and in the community. Speech-language therapists focus on improving communication skills by assessing and treating the various areas associated with communication. These include speech production, receptive and expressive language skills, cognitive-communication skills, social communication, voice and fluency.
 


Group therapy sessions for development of social skills are also provided when appropriate.

A speech therapist conducting a speech therapy session with a young girl wearing glasses. The therapist uses a red oral motor tool while both are seated at a table in a classroom setting.

We recommend SLP if your child:

Does not seem to be understanding spoken language

Is not following verbal instructions well

Is delayed in verbally expressing their needs and desires

Has articulation difficulties or stutters

Is lagging behind in language development

Is behind in social interaction development

Is displaying a combination of any of the stated concerns

Displays any other speech, language or communication issues

Occupational Therapy

The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable children to participate in daily living activities as independently as possible. In a child’s life, these activities are related to school performance, self-care and play activities.
 
Occupational therapists offer evaluation and intervention services for developing the underlying skills required for functioning in daily life activities. The targeted skills include fine and gross motor skills, visual perceptual, visual motor skills and sensory integration. Functional living skills and pre-vocational training are also areas targeted by occupational therapists.

Child in a therapy room using a sensory swing, guided by a physical therapist on a blue mat.

We recommend occupational therapy if your child:

Is showing delay in play skills compared to their peers

Is showing unusual reactions to certain sensations

Is showing difficulties in controlling utensils and tools (e.g. spoons)

Appears clumsy in gross motor control

Is facing challenges in acquiring pre-academic skills

Is displaying a combination of any of the stated concerns

Displays any other issues related to daily life activities

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists are specialized in evaluation, treatment and management of a variety of acquired disorders or neurological, orthopedic, congenital and sensory integration disorders. Treatment focuses on achieving functional independence and gross motor skills by improving ambulation and mobility, postural stability, balance, coordination, strength, endurance and sensory processing/integration.

A child in a red sweater stacking colorful cups under the supervision of a physical therapist. The setting appears to be a therapy or activity room with equipment and instructional posters on the wall.

We recommend physical therapy if your child:

Is not mastering gross motor skills (sitting, walking, running, etc.) at the expected age

Seems to have unusual muscle tone (i.e., muscles are very tight or very loose)

Has one side of their body weaker than the other

Seems generally weaker and/or less coordinated than children at their age

Is displaying a combination of any of the stated concerns

Displays any other issues related to their physical development

Behavior Therapy: Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)

ABA is a therapy based on the science of learning and behavior. ABA can help your child develop new skills, shape and increase existing skills and decrease behaviors interfering with their learning or development. We strive to create a collaborative environment, which includes our experts in behavior principles and your family. Together, we build a plan tailored to your child’s unique needs, maximizing growth in communication and overall development, and building adaptive skills at homes, schools and community settings.

A young boy using a tablet with a red case while a therapist watches, seated at a table.

We recommend behavioral therapy if your child:

Is exhibiting developmental delays

Exhibits behaviors interfering with their learning and acquisition of skills

Our ABA therapy team involves therapists or registered behavior technicians (RBT) who are trained and supervised by a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA). They work directly with your children to practice skills and shape behaviors directed towards their individual goals prepared by the BCBA.

The BCBA is a person with a certification in applied behavior analysis. BCBAs receive this certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

Intervention approaches and strategies are employed in an eclectic approach

Therapists are updated and trained on the best and latest research-evidenced approaches in their various disciplines, then guided to use the most suitable ones for the demands of the teaching/training situation, as well as for the learning style and needs of the child.

Following are some of the intervention approaches that Al-Masar therapists are trained to use: